At least 697 people were executed between September 2022 and August 2023, a 36% increase compared to the same period the previous year when 514 executions were recorded.

 

Between September 2022 and August 2023 there was a 94% increase in drug-related executions with at least 393 people executed for the charges compared to 203 in the same period the previous year.

 

Protesters and the Death Penalty

Following the state-murder of Jina (Mahsa) Amini on 16 September 2022, nationwide protests broke out throughout Iran with the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom.” Protests that were immediately crushed through the use of lethal force leading to hundreds of deaths, and mass arrests. On 28 October 2022, the Head of Judiciary declared that protester cases were being processed in the shortest possible time and some death penalty sentences already issued. The next day, the first protester death penalty trials were reported by the Judiciary followed by news of unofficially reported cases. From the outset, families were threatened to stay quiet while defendants were systematically tortured to force confessions, denied access to lawyers and any semblance of due process and fair trial rights in the Revolutionary Courts. In many cases, torture-tainted forced confessions were aired prior to the commencement of legal proceedings, violating their rights to presumed innocent until proven guilty. Forced confessions were used as the primary method of proving guilt at show trials held behind closed doors. While the Islamic Republic’s death penalty practices have always lacked transparency, authorities also intentionally spread misinformation and created ambiguity about cases to make their reporting even more difficult. Despite and under such circumstances, Iran Human Rights continued to document and report cases through official and unofficial sources. 

A year on, seven protesters have been executed, with one hanged publicly, at least 10 protesters have been sentenced to death, with some at retrial phases, and 82 others remain at risk of death penalty charges or sentences. The range of charges include security-related charges of moharebeh (enmity against god), efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) and baghy (armed rebellion) under the jurisdiction of Revolutionary Courts, and qisas, retribution-in-kind for murder under the jurisdiction of Criminal Court (definitions are provided at the end of the report). However, Iran Human Rights has documented cases where indictments and trials for security-related charges have been issued or tried by Criminal Courts. Due to the aforementioned conditions, in some cases where no new information is available, their names have been kept on the list until evidence of their safety is confirmed. The list also does not include deaths in custody. 

PDF link to list of protesters executed, on death row and at risk of death penalty charges and sentences.

 

Executed

1. MOHSEN SHEKARI, 23

Mohsen was arrested in relation to a protest in Tehran on 25 September 2022. He was sentenced to death for moharebeh for injuring a security officer with a knife and blocking Sattar Khan Street. Mohsen’s name was intentionally withheld in official reports and his forced confessions aired after his execution. He was executed in Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht) Prison on 8 December 2022. It took just 75 days from arrest to execution.

 

2. MAJIDREZA RAHNAVARD, 23

Majidreza was arrested in Mashhad on 19 November 2022. He was paraded in front of state media with a broken arm and his forced confessions aired. He was sentenced to death for charges of moharebeh through killing two and injuring four. Majidreza was publicly hanged at the scene of the alleged crime on 12 December 2022. It took just 23 days from arrest to execution.

 

 

3. MOHAMMAD MEHDI KARAMI, 22

Mohammad Mehdi was arrested after taking part in the 40th day ceremony for slain protester Hadis Najafi in Karaj on 3 November 2022. His torture-tainted confessions were aired in a program made about the case. The 16 defendants in the case were accused of taking part in an IRGC agent’s death, and tried over two days on November 30. He was sentenced to death for charges of efsad-fil-arz and executed in Karaj Penitentiary on 7 January 2023. 

 

 

4. SEYED MOHAMMAD HOSSEINI, 39

Seyed Mohammad Hosseini was arrested after taking part in the 40th day ceremony for slain protester Hadis Najafi in Karaj on 3 November 2022. His torture-tainted confessions were aired in a program made about the case. The 16 defendants in the case accused of taking part in an IRGC agent’s death were tried over two days on November 30. He was sentenced to death for charges of efsad-fil-arz along with Mohammad Mehdi Karami and executed in Karaj Penitentiary on 7 January 2023. 

 

 

5. MAJID KAZEMI, 30

Majid was arrested in relation to a protest in Isfahan on 16 November 2022 and tried in a group of seven defendants in relation to the death of three state forces. His brother, Hossein was one of the defendants to exert extra pressure on Majid and was later released.  Majid was sentenced to death for moharebeh charges on 9 January which was upheld on 9 May. He was executed along with Saleh Mirhashemi and Saeed Yaghoubi in Isfahan Central Prison on 19 May 2023.

 

6. SALEH MIRHASHEMI, 36

Saleh was arrested in relation to a protest in Isfahan on 16 November 2022 and tried in a group of seven defendants in relation to the death of three state forces. Saleh was sentenced to death for moharebeh charges on 9 January which was upheld on 9 May. He was executed along with Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaghoubi in Isfahan Central Prison on 19 May 2023.

 

 

 

7. SAEED YAGHOUBI, 30

Saeed was arrested in relation to a protest in Isfahan on 16 November 2022 and tried in a group of seven defendants in relation to the death of three state forces. Saeed was sentenced to death for moharebeh charges on 9 January which was upheld on 9 May. He was executed along with Saleh Mirhashemi and Majid Kazemi in Isfahan Central Prison on 19 May 2023.

 

 

Protesters at risk according to province: Khuzestan: 32 people; Tehran: 18 people; Sistan and Baluchistan: 13 people; Mazandaran: 7 people; West Azerbaijan: 6 people; Kurdistan: 5 people; Isfahan: 3 people; Khorasan Razavi: 3 people; Gilan: 2 people; Kermanshah: 2 people; Hamedan: 1 person; Shiraz: 1 person.

 

 

On Death Row

 

1. MOJAHED KOURKOUR (مجاهد کورکور)

Mojahed is a Bakhtiari protester arrested on 20 December 2022 and tortured to force confession to killing 10-year-old Kian Pirfalak who was killed by security forces in Izeh on 17 November. His forced confessions were aired prior to any legal proceedings and his trial took place on 19 March 2023.

 

CHARGES: moharebeh (enmity against god) through drawing a weapon with the intention to kill people and create fear, efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) committed through firing a war weapon, disrupting public order, causing harm to physical integrity of seven people including Kian Pirfalak, causing major damage to public and private property, forming a baghy group and its membership through armed rebellion against the government (baghy/armed rebellion) at the Revolutionary Court. Indicted for murder charges by the Criminal Court. Families of Kian Pirfalak and Milad Saeidianjou have declared their support for Mojahed, asserting that their loved ones were killed by state forces.

 

STATUS: Sentenced to death by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on 7 April 2023. Despite follow-ups by family, there is no news of his appeal. A propaganda documentary was aired on 14 June, raising concerns about his imminent execution at Ahvaz Central Prison.

 

2. MANOUCHEHR MEHMAN NAVAZ, 45, TEHRAN, (منوچهر مهمان‌نواز) 

Manouchehr is a father of two daughters. He was arrested in relation to a protest in Qarchak, in Karaj where he is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a government building. His trial was reported to have taken place by state media on 30 October 2022.

CHARGES:

Arson of buildings with the intention of opposing the Islamic government/moharebeh punishment for throwing Molotov cocktails at an empty government building that did not cause injury. Judge relied on elme-qazi to set punishment as his actions did not meet the definition of moharebeh.

 

STATUS: Sentenced to death by Branch 28 of Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Amouzad. There is no verifiable update on his case.

 

3. MOHAMMAD GHOBADLU, 22 (محمد قبادلو)

Mohammad was arrested at a protest in Tehran. According to his mother, he suffers from bipolar disorder and was not taking his medication in the months prior to the protest. He is facing death penalty charges in both the Revolutionary Court and Criminal Court. His group trial at the Revolutionary Court took place on 29 October 2022 and was reported by state media.

 

CHARGES:

Efsad-fil-arz through large-scale action against police by crashing into police with a car that caused the death of Farid Karampour Hasanvand and the injury of 5 police officers.

STATUS: Sentenced to death by Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati. Sentence upheld. According to his lawyer, their four appeal applications were rejected by the Supreme Court. A stay of execution was granted to “prioritise murder case” against him.

 

2nd CASE CHARGES: Qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

STATUS: Hearing took place at Branch One of the Tehran Criminal Court on 10 December 2023 where Mohammad’s bipolar disorder was raised. Court reconvened after conducting further investigations but ultimately relied on the original Forensic Medical Organisation opinion to sentence him to death. On 23 January 2023, the Supreme Court accepted his appeal which was subsequently upheld on 23 May. On 26 July, his sentence was overturned by Branch 1 of the Supreme Court and sent for retrial at a court of equal standing. As of 10 September 2023, he is awaiting the verdict from his retrial.

 

4. SAMAN SEYDI, 27 (سامان سیدی)

 

Kurdish rapper and graphic designer arrested for protesting in Tehran. He was tortured to force self-incriminating confessions which were aired by state media. He made a suicide attempt on 31 January 2023 while in Gohardasht (Rajai Shahr) Prison. In July 2023, he was transferred to the Amin Abad psychiatric hospital where he later said, he was “tied to a bed and forcibly injected and passed out for 24 hours.” He was transferred to Qezel Hesar Prison after the closure of Gohardasht and is currently on strike with other political prisoners due to their dangerous situation at the prison. His group trial took place on 29 October 2022.

CHARGES:

Moharebeh through pulling handgun and firing 3 bullets in the air (pellet gun)

STATUS: Sentenced to death by Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati. The Supreme Court referred the case back to the court which issued the original sentence (ie. Judge Salavati) based on Article 469(b)(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedures. Saman has been denied access to his lawyer of choice and his court-appointed lawyer who has published contradictory information regarding his retrial has been denied access to his case file. His retrial has been cancelled twice, the last time on 9 September 2023.

 

5. MOHAMMAD BOROUGHANI, 19 (محمد بروغنی)

Mohammad was arrested in relation to protests in Pakdasht, Tehran and was named as a protest leader based on his Instagram stories and videos and text messages from his phone at the group trial on 29 October 2022. 

CHARGES:

Moharebeh through drawing a machete and attacking the Pakdasht city hall with a mob, arson of city hall, attacking and injuring a government official on duty, causing injury

 

STATUS: Sentenced to death by Tehran Public Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati. Sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court on 2 January 2023 but a stay of execution was granted on 11 January pending a new appeal. On 22 February, his case was sent to a court of equal standing for retrial.

 

 

 

6. MAHAN SADRAT-MADANI (MARANI), 22 (ماهان صدارت مرنی / مدنی)

  

Mahan was arrested in relation to a protest which took place in Tehran on 12 October 2022. His trial took place on 3 November 2022 and was reported by state media.

CHARGES: Moharebeh through drawing a cold weapon (knife).

STATUS: Death sentence issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari. On 21 December 2022, the case was referred to a court of equal standing by the Supreme Court based on Article 474(g) of the Islamic Penal Code. 

 

 

 

7. MANSOUR DAHMARDEH, 22, (منصور دهمرده)

Mansour is a Baluch 22-year-old who is physically disabled. He was arrested for participating in the Bloody Friday protest on 30 September 2022. He was arrested on 3 October 2022 when he was working as a bus driver on the route from Zahedan to Bandar Abbas. He was subjected to severe torture for ten days to force self-incriminating confessions prior to his sentencing. According to Baluch activists, his right leg was injured under torture and later infected due to the lack of treatment. Prison authorities demanded and took 12 million tomans from the family for the required operation. However, his family were not permitted to be with him at the hospital when the operation took place in early July. 

 

CHARGES: 

Efsad-fil-arz. In court, he admitted to throwing three stones and burning a tyre, to which the judge replied: “anyone who protests Ali Khamenei’s government will be sentenced to death.”

STATUS: Sentenced to death on 5 January 2023 by Branch 2 of the Shahid Noury Criminal Court Complex which was announced to him in prison. This is while the security charges should have been tried by the Revolutionary Court.

 

8. EBRAHIM NAROUYI, 25 (ابراهیم نارویی)

Zahedan protester arrested for alleged arson of a bank and destroying public property. He was denied access to own lawyer.

CHARGES: Moharebeh.

STATUS: Sentenced to death by Branch 6 of the Zahedan Revolutionary Court on 3 January 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

9. KAMBIZ KHAROUT, 22 (کامبیز خروت)

Zahedan protester arrested at his place of employment on 1 October 2022 and released on bail before being re-arrested on 12 November.  He was subjected to torture to force self-incriminating confessions. 

CHARGES: Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz

STATUS: Sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Shahid Noury Criminal Court Complex on 3 January 2023.

 

 

Four Noshahr protesters were arrested in September and sentenced to death. Javad Rouhi, who received three death sentences, died under suspicious circumstances in the custody of Noshahr Prison. Arshia Takdastan’s death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court and sent for retrial; he was released on bail on 14 May. A fourth man was also reportedly sentenced to death.The defendants were tortured to force self-incriminating confessions and to testify against each other. 

10. MEHDI MOHMMADIFARD, 19 (مهدی محمدی‌فرد)

Protester arrested on 1 October 2022 and subjected to torture to force self-incriminating confessions. According to Amnesty International, he was raped, as a result of which, he suffered anal injuries and rectal bleeding. Though he was transferred to an outside hospital, he was returned to prison before recovering. Mehdi is accused of throwing molotov cocktails at a government building on 21 September 2022.

CHARGES: Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz.

STATUS: Sentenced to two death sentences by the Sari Revolutionary Court which was overturned by the Supreme Court and referred back to a court of equal standing.

 

At Risk of Death Penalty Charges or Sentence

The following eight protesters are reportedly facing charges of moharebeh, efsad-fil-arz and baghy in relation to protests in Izeh. Currently held in Ahvaz Central Prison, the men have been subjected to torture to force confessions.

 

1. BAHMAN BAHMANI, 30 (بهمن بهمنی)

Arrested in Izeh on November 16 and tortured to force confession to murder of 10-year-old Kian Pirfalak who was killed by security forces in Izeh on November 17. 

 

CHARGES: Death penalty charges.

STATUS: His trial was scheduled to take place on April 8.

 

 

 

 

2. BEHROUZ SALAHSHOUR (بهروز سلحشور)

CHARGES: Security-related charges.

STATUS: Facing death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. MOHSEN AHMADPOUR (محسن احمدپور)

CHARGES: Security-related charges.

STATUS: Facing death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. RASOUL BODAGHI (رسول بداغی)

CHARGES: Security-related charges.

STATUS: Facing death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. SADEGH GHASEMI (صادق قاسمی)

CHARGES: Security-related charges.

STATUS: Facing death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. VAHID ABBASI (وحید عباسی)

Vahid has been denied medical treatment despite being shot in the eyes by pellet bullets and having a broken nose. 

CHARGES: Security-related charges.

STATUS: Facing death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. REZA ARABPOUR (رضا عرب‌پور)

CHARGES: Security-related charges.

STATUS: Facing death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. ESMAIL MOUSAVI NAZARI (اسماعیل موسوی نظری)

CHARGES: Security-related charges.

STATUS: Facing death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following 23 individuals are protesters from Baghe Malek in Khuzestan who were indicted for charges of moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz in the same case by on 20 November 2022. No further details or new information is available about this case.

9. AMIN AMIRI (امین امیری)

10. MILAD ZAKAVI (میلاد زکوی)

11. SAEED RAYGANI MAJ (سعید رایگانی‌ماج)

12. MAJID YOUSEFI HEZARVAND (مجید یوسفی هزاروند)

13. NILOUFAR GHAHREMANI (نیلوفر قهرمانی)

14. MOHAMMAD BAKHSHI (محمد بخشی)

15. SEYEDEH SHIRIN MARASHI (سیده شیرین مرعشی)

16. MOJTABA FARKHAJEH MIRI (مجتبی فرخواجه‌میری)

17. MOSLEM NOROUZI NASAB (مسلم نوروزی نسب)

18. ARSALAN KORDI (ارسلان کردی)

19. JAMAL GHASEMIAN NASAB (جمال قاسمیان‌نسب)

20. SEYED MOHAMAD TABATABAI (سیدمحمد طباطبایی)

21. ELHAM SARIRIZADEH (الهام صریری‌زاده)

22. SASAN ZANGANEH (ساسان زنگنه)

23. YOUSEF AKH SHEIKH (یوسف آخ‌شیخ)

24. MOSTAFA KORDI (مصطفی کردی)

25. JAMSHID GHASEMIAN SERESHT (جمشید قاسمیان سرشت)

26. VALIOLLAH ADELZADEH (ولی‌الله عادل‌زاده)

27. SAJAD SHAFIEI (سجاد شفیعی)

28. MOHAMMAD JAVAD KORDI (محمدجواد کردی)

29. SALMAN EIVAZINEJAD (سلمان عیوضی‌نژاد)

30. HAMZEH SHAFIEI (حمزه شفیعی)

31. MOHAMAD NAZARI (محمد نظری)

 

The following three individuals were prosecuted in the first group trial reported on 29 October. While the death sentences against the others in the case were officially reported, no information has been available about their convictions since.

32. SAEED SHIRAZI (سعید شیرازی)

CHARGES: Efsad-fil-arz through widespread incitement and encouragement of people to commit crimes against national security and order for sharing a tutorial on how to make molotov cocktails on Instagram. 

 

STATUS: Tried by the Tehran Public Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati. While death penalty sentences of co-defendants were officially reported, no information is available about his verdict.

 

 

 

 

33. MOHSEN REZAZADEH-GHARAGHOLU, 21 (محسن رضازاده قراقلو)

CHARGES:

Moharebeh through participation in setting fire in a public device in order to disturb public order and security

 

STATUS: Tried by the Tehran Public Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati. While death penalty sentences of co-defendants were officially reported, no information is available about his verdict.

 

 

 

34. ABOLFAZL MEHRI HOSSEIN HAJILU, 17 (ابوالفضل مهری حسین حاجی‌لو)

CHARGES:

Opposing the Islamic government by setting fire to a vehicle in public use in order to disrupt national order and security for setting fire to 25 bins.

STATUS: Tried by the Tehran Public Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati. While death penalty sentences of co-defendants were officially reported, no information is available about his verdict.

 

 

 

 

 

The following seven individuals were arrested in relation to the death of IRGC Arman Ali Verdi in Ekbatan, Tehran, on 26 October 2023. Torture and ill-treatment to force self-incriminating confessions have been reported against all seven defendants. Additionally, seven others have been indicted for charges of “participation in intentional assault, disturbing public peace and order, and unlawful detention.” Their names are: Yasamin Dashtani, Amir Mehdi Rezaii, Erfan Rezaii, Gholamreza Nabigol, Sara Ajdari, Aria Pakzad and Mohammadreza Eftekhari. As the charges and defendants in this case known as the “Ekbatan case” have changed several times in the past, it is likely that they may change again.

 

35. MILAD ARMOUN, 22 (میلاد آرمون)

First defendant in the case, arrested on 3 November 2022. He stated on camera that he was not carrying a gun on the day and vehemently denied stabbing the IRGC officer in question.

CHARGES: Moharebeh. He is also facing charges of participation in murder at the Criminal Court.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

 

 

 

 

36. MOHAMMAD MEHDI HOSSIENI, 27 (محمدمهدی حسینی)

CHARGES:

Moharebeh. He is also facing charges of participation in murder at the Criminal Court.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

 

 

 

 

37. MEHDI IMANI (مهدی ایمانی)

CHARGES:

Moharebeh. He is also facing charges of participation in murder at the Criminal Court.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

 

 

 

 

38. ALIREZA KAFAYI (علیرضا کفایی)

CHARGES:

Participation in murder, disturbing public peace and order, and participation in intentional assault.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

 

 

 

 

39. HOSSEIN NEMATI, 24 (حسین نعمتی)

CHARGES:

Participation in murder, disturbing public peace and order, and participation in intentional assault.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

 

 

 

40. AMIRMOHAMMAD KHOSHEGHBAL, 25 (امیرمحمد خوش‌اقبال)

Air Force soldier at the time of arrest. He is reported to have attempted suicide due to the torture and ill-treatment in detention.

CHARGES:

Participation in murder, disturbing public order and peace and participation in intentional assault.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

 

 

 

41. ALIREZA BARMAZPOURNAK, 25 (علیرضا برمزپورناک)

Arrested on 3 November 2022. Tortured to force confessions.

CHARGES:

Participation in murder, disturbing public peace and order, and participation in intentional assault.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

 

 

 

42. MOHAMMAD FEIZI, 27 (محمد فیضی)

Arrested on 14 October 2022 and held in Qezel Hesar Prison where he went on hunger strike against the charges. Very little information is available about his case.

CHARGES:

Efsad-fil-arz.

STATUS: Facing charges.

 

 

 

 

43. SAJAD IMANNEJAD, 34 (سجاد ایمان‌نژاد)

 

Sajad is an architect arrested while chanting at a protest on 18 October 2022. On that day, the crowd had dispersed after a crackdown by security forces but Sajad was caught by seven plainclothes and uniformed officers in a side street. In an attempt to defend himself while being beaten to close death, he had used a small knife on his keyring. According to his former cellmates, they could not look him in the face as he was so severely injured. There are 15 private plaintiffs in his case while there were seven men at the scene of his beating and arrest. His family has been threatened into silence.

CHARGES: Moharebeh

STATUS: Tried by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, verdict unclear.

 

The following two individuals are relatives from Cheshme Ziarat village who were arrested on 24 November 2022 in relation to an attack on a nearby IRGC base and death of Behzad Barahouyi. The other three defendants in the case, Omid, Behzad and Esmail Hassanzehi, were released on January 14. Both men had alibis that day; they were working at their jobs which were confirmed by their employers. They have reportedly been subjected to torture to force self-incriminating confessions. They are held in limbo in Ward 9 of Zahedan Central Prison.

44. FARSHID HASSANZEHI, 25 (فرشید حسن‌زهی)

CHARGES: Unclear.

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45. JAMSHID HASSANZEHI, 29 (جمشید حسن‌زهی)

CHARGES: Unclear.

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46. FARHAD NAKHAEI, 18 (فرهاد نخعی)

Baluch arrested at protest against rape of 15 year old girl ‌Baluch girl by the Chabahar police chief. He was reportedly forced to make false confessions under torture and ill-treatment.

CHARGES: Unclear

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

47. MOHAMMAD FOULADI, 18 (محمد فولادی)

Baluch arrested at protest against rape of 15 year old girl ‌Baluch girl by the Chabahar police chief. He was reportedly forced to make false confessions under torture and ill-treatment.

CHARGES: Unclear

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

The following three individuals were arrested in connection with the death of Friday prayer Imam Sajad Shahraki. None of the men were involved in the incident, they have all been arrested for their familial or friendship connections to the alleged suspect.

48. MOHAMMADREZA NAROUYI-SHIRANI, 48 (محمدرضا نارویی شیرانی)

He is believed to have been arrested in place of his son, Arash who managed to escape.

CHARGES: Moharebeh.

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

49. ESMAIL SHEHBAKHSH, 41 (اسماعیل شه‌بخش)

He was friends with Arash Narouyi-Shirani and Ruhollah Kahrazehi and was arrested after hosting Arash at his home for one night.

CHARGES: Moharebeh.

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

50. RUHOLLAH KAHRAZEHI, 21 (روح‌الله کهرازهی)

He was friends with Arash Narouyi-Shirani.

CHARGES: Moharebeh.

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

On 15 January 2023, Fars news agency reported the arrests of three men for the murder of Mona Naghib, an 8-year-old Baluch girl killed by security forces in Saravan in October. Per the report however, Mona was killed in the course of an armed robbery. The identity of one of the men is unknown. The following two individuals are brothers who have been under torture to confess to Mona’s murder. There is no news of the men and no information has been reported about the case since their arrests.

51. ABDOLLAH BALUCHZEHI (عبدالله بلوچ‌زهی)

CHARGES: Moharebeh and qisas

STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.

 

52. AREF BALUCHZEHI (عارف بلوچ‌زهی)

CHARGES: Moharebeh and qisas

STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.

 

53. UNIDENTIFIED

CHARGES: Moharebeh and qisas

STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.

 

The following six individuals are all under 25 and from the village of Ghaleh Sar in Neka, Mazandaran. They were arrested on January 2 and have been accused of arson of the Prosecutor’s Office in Neka which they denied. They are at risk of moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz charges. No new information is available about their case.

54. MEGHDAD YAGHOUBI, U25 (مقداد یعقوبی)

55. ALI AKBARJANI, U25 (علی اکبرجانی)

56. ALI ASGHAR FAGHANI, U25 (علی‌اصغر فغانی)

57. HOSSEIN SHABANI, U25 (حسین شعبانی)

58. MOHAMMAD RASOULI, U25 (محمد رسولی)

59. ALI RASOULI, U25 (علی رسولی)

 

60. FARZAD TAHAZADEH, 26 (فرزاد طه‌زاده)

Brothers and protesters from Oshnavieh.

CHARGES:

Moharebeh.

STATUS: Family were informed of their imminent executions which was later denied by Islamic Republic officials who claim the case has not reached trial stage and nobody has been sentenced to death in Oshnavieh.

61. FARHAD TAHAZADEH, 25 (فرهاد طه‌زاده)

Brothers and protesters from Oshnavieh

CHARGES:

Moharebeh.

STATUS: Family were informed of their imminent executions which was later denied by Islamic Republic officials who claim the case has not reached trial stage and nobody has been sentenced to death in Oshnavieh.

 

62. HIMAN SHAHI (KARVAN SHAHPARVANEH), 23 (هیمن شاهی)

Himan is an Oshnavieh protester and worker arrested in October 2022. Two cases were brought against him, he stated he was tortured to force confessions in both. In one case he has been tried for charges of damaging government property, Refah and Sepah banks by Branch 104 of the Criminal Court. The second which carries the death penalty.

CHARGES: Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz.

STATUS: Trial scheduled to take place at Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court on 11 September 2023.

 

 

 

 

63. SHAHRAM MAROUFMOLA, 22 (شهرام معروف ملا)

Oshnavieh protester arrested on 24 September 2022. 

CHARGES: Moharebeh.

STATUS: Unclear.

 

 

 

 

 

64. REZA ESLAMDOUST, 24 (رضا اسلامدوست)

Oshnavieh protester arrested in late October 2022.

CHARGES: Moharebeh.

STATUS: Unclear.

 

 

 

 

 

65. EHSAN MOHAMMADI, 16 (احسان محمدی)

Ehsan was arrested on 13 October 2022 in relation to the Oshnavieh protests. He was tortured to force confessions and has been held in the Urmia Juvenile Correctional facility. 

CHARGES: Moharebeh through disturbing public peace and order through protest participation, incitement and destruction of public property

STATUS: His case has been referred to Branch One of the Special Urmia Juvenile Court by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

 

 

 

 

66. POURIA JAVAHERI (پوریا جواهری)

Pouria is a worker and protester arrested on 29 November 2022 in Kamyaran, Kurdistan province. He was tortured and forced to confess to the killing of IRGC Reza Azarbar. More than 50 people testified that he was in his village on the day of the alleged murder and not in Kamyaran where the alleged murder took place.

CHARGES: Moharebeh through killing a military personnel, membership in opposition groups, intentionally injuring a few military forces and propaganda.

STATUS: His case was referred to Branch 1 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court on 13 August 2023.

 

 

 

The following four individuals are Sanandaj protesters arrested separately. They are accused of involvement in the death of policeman Hossein Yousefi on 16 November 2022 in Behesht Mohammadi cemetery in Sanandaj where people were holding the 40th day ceremony for 4 slain protesters. On 2 December 2022, state media reported the arrest of four people in the case. They have all been reportedly tortured to force self-incriminating confessions and currently held in Sanandaj Central Prison.

 

67. KEYVAN ZAND KARIMI, 29 (کیوان زندکریمی)

Shop owner.

CHARGES: Moharebeh through the murder of a policeman.

STATUS: Case at Branch 1 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court.

 

 

 

 

 

68. ARAM AZAD (آرام آزاد)

CHARGES: Moharebeh through the murder of a policeman.

STATUS: Case at Branch 1 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69. SARDAR SHAHMORADI, 26 (سردار شاهمرادی)

Dentistry PhD student.

CHARGES: Moharebeh through the murder of a policeman.

STATUS: Case at Branch 1 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court.

 

70. HOUSHANG CHAHARGORGEH, 44 (هوشنگ چهارگرگه)

CHARGES: Moharebeh through the murder of a policeman.

STATUS: Case at Branch 1 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court.

 

 

 

71. MAHSA MOHAMMADI, 22 (مهسا محمدی)

Microbiology student in Sabzevar, Razavi Khorasan province, was reportedly arrested for a tweet.

CHARGES: Sabol-nabi (insulting the prophet).

STATUS: unclear. No information is available about her fate.

 

 

 

 

 

72. MAJID KHOSHMANZAR, 48 (مجید خوش‌منظر)

 

Majid was senior staff at the city traffic control centre. Arrested with his son, Amir Reza, at Mashhad airport on October 23, he is accused of disabling CCTV in the city on the day of a protest. His son was subsequently released.

 

CHARGES: Moharebeh

STATUS: charged by Branch 904 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Court.

 

 

 

 

 

73. BABAK ZARIN (بابک زرین)

 

Arrested on October 26, he is accused of disabling CCTV in the city on the day of a protest.

 

CHARGES: moharebeh

STATUS: Indicted by Branch 904 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Court 

 

 

 

 

Ten people were arrested in relation to the death of three repressive forces in Isfahan on 16 November 2023. According to the Isfahan judiciary, four defendants were being tried by the Criminal Court and the remainder by the Revolutionary Court. The initial verdict in the Revolutionary Court case which was published on 9 January 2023, sentenced Amir Nasr Azadani and Soheil Jahangiri to prison terms and the charges against Jaber MirHashemi were dropped. Hossein Kazemi was released, he was being held to pressure Majid Kazemi per his family.  It is not clear what charges the criminal court defendants are facing though “rape” which also carries the death penalty, was mentioned in the propaganda video against them. Saeed Yaghoubi, Majid Kazemi and Saleh Mirhashemi were executed in Isfahan Central Prison on 19 May. The following three people are the Criminal Court defendants remaining in the case. No new information is available about their case.

74. FARAMARZ SALEHI (فرامرز صالحی)

CHARGES: ‌‌Unknown.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

75. MEHDI MASHAYEKHI (مهدی مشایخی)

CHARGES: ‌‌Unknown.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

76. ABOLFAZL BADIALAH (ابوالفضل بادی‌اله)

CHARGES: Unknown.

STATUS: Indicted.

 

The following two people were arrested in relation to the death of IRGC Nader Beirami at a ceremony held for Yarsani leader, Seyed Khalil Alinejad, which people used as an opportunity to protest, holding “Woman, Life, Liberty” signs. Authorities falsely claim the gathering which they violently crushed, was unrelated to protests. Of the 15 people arrested in this case, Reza Rasayi and Farhad Bigi Garousi are the only two still detained.

77. REZA RASAYI, 34 (رضا رسایی)

He was tortured to force self-incriminating confessions to the murder. There are other unknown defendants in this case.

CHARGES: Moharebeh.

STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

78. FARHAD BIGI GAROUSI (فرهاد بیگی گروسی)

Farhad was arrested on 18 November 2022 and reportedly tortured to force both false confessions and testimonies against others in this case.

CHARGES: Moharebeh through participating in the murder of Nader Beirami.

STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

79. OMID BAHRAMI GOURMASULEH, (امید بهرامی گورماسوله)

Rasht resident who was tortured to confess to arson of an IRGC base.

CHARGES: Moharebeh

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

80. RAHMAT NOROUZI (رحمت نوروزی)

Rasht resident who was arrested on 11 December 2022 and tortured to confess to arson of an IRGC base.

CHARGES: Moharebeh

STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

81. MILAD ZOHREVAND, 20 (میلاد زهره‌وند)

Malayer protester who was arrested on 27 October 2022 and facing charges of killing a government officer. The family of the officer in question, Ali Nazari, have not filed a complaint against him.

CHARGES: Unclear.

STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.

 

 

 

 

 

82. PARVIN MIRASAN, 66 (پروین میرآسان)

Parvin was arrested at her home in Shiraz on 4 November along with father and daughter, Nasrolah and Arghavan Falahi simply for hosting them which she stated at her indictment hearing. She was held in solitary confinement for 90 days and has been denied medical treatment despite suffering from diabetes and parkinson’s disease. She has been denied access to a lawyer and is currently held at Evin Prison. While the Falahi family lawyer has reported that the death penalty charges have been removed from their case, no news is available about Parvin’s case.

CHARGES: Efsad-fil-arz and moharebeh.

STATUS: Unclear

 

Update on protesters removed from the list:

1. MOHAMMAD RAKHSHANI-AZAD (released on bail on 9 February)
2. ALI RAKHSHANI-AZAD (released on bail on 9 February)
3. NEZAMEDIN HOOT (released on bail on 20 June)
4. MANSOUR HOOT (released on bail on 20 June)
5. HOSSEIN KASHANI (sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on 30 May)
6. ADEL GARGIJ (sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on 30 May)
7. AMIRHOSSEIN TERVAL, 20: Arrested on 24 October 2022, he was subjected to torture and ill-treatment to force false confessions and faced charges of moharebeh. Amirhossein was released on bail on 7 May 2023 but died under suspicious circumstances on 16 May. His official cause of death was reported as a heart attack.
8. ARSHIA TAKDASTAN (death sentence overturned and referred to a court of equal standing, released on bail on 14 May)
9. SAEED YAGHOUBI, (executed in Isfahan Central Prison on 19 May)
10. SALEH MIRHASHEMI, (executed in Isfahan Central Prison on 19 May)
11. MAJID KAZEMI, (executed in Isfahan Central Prison on 19 May)
12. PARHAM PARVARI (received prison term on 20 June)
13. ALI (MAKAN) DAVARI (released on bail on 8 May)
14. MAJID SHABDINI (released on bail on 8 May)
15. HAMID GHAREH-HASSANLU (sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on 18 April)
16. HOSSEIN MOHAMMADI  (sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on 18 April)
17. REZA ARIA  (sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on 18 April)
18. ARASH GHANBARI (released on bail on 19 April)
19. PEJMAN ESLAMI (released on bail on 21 May)
20. HESHMATOLLAH TABARZADI (sentenced to 45 years and 6 months imprisonment on 25 May)
21. AYOUB AGHLIANI (sentenced to 19 years and 11 months imprisonment and 74 lashes, released on bail on 26 June 2023)
22. GHODRAT MOBAREZ (imprisoned but no longer at risk of death penalty charges)
23. NASROLLAH FALAHI (death penalty charges dropped on 9 July)
24. ARGHAVAN FALAHI (death penalty charges dropped on 9 July)
25. ARDALAN FALAHI (death penalty charges dropped on 9 July)
26. TOOMAJ SALEHI (sentenced to 18 year and 9 months imprisonment on 10 July)
27. SHOEIB MIRBALUCHZEHI RIGI (released on bail on 14 August after his sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court and referred to a court of equal standing for retrial)
28. FARZAD MOHAMMADPOUR (released on bail on 25 August)
29. OMID KASHANI (released on bail)
30. RAFIGH SALIMI (sentenced to 10 years imprisonment)
31. JAVAD ROUHI: Death in custody of Noshahr Prison under suspicious circumstances on 31 August. 
32. MOSTAFA MOHEBI (sentenced to 3 years imprisonment on 5 September)

 

DEFINITIONS:

Moharebeh

Article 279 of the IPC defines moharebeh (enmity against god) as “drawing a weapon on the life, property or chastity of people or to cause terror as it creates the atmosphere of insecurity.” Article 282 sets out the punishments of “death penalty, crucifixion, amputation of right hand and left leg and banishment” which the judge has the discretion to choose per Article 283. This includes “bandits, robbers and smugglers” who take up arms (Article 281 of the IPC). 

 

Efsad-fil-arz

Article 286 of the IPC defines efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) as the crime committed by a person “on an extensive level against the physical integrity of others, the domestic or external security, spreads lies, disrupts the national economic system, undertakes arson and destruction, disseminates poisonous, microbiological and dangerous substances, establishes corruption and prostitution centres or assists in establishing them.” However, this article does not provide concrete definitions for the term “crime” and the scope of “extensive” for its purpose, giving judges more power to interpret the law at their own discretion. 

 

Baghy

Article 287 of the IPC defines members of any group that stages armed rebellion against the Islamic Republic of Iran as “baghy” (one who carries out baghy or armed rebellion), and that its members shall be sentenced to death on charges of baghy should they have used weapons. 

 

Qisas

Qisas means retribution-in-kind for a crime committed. A qisas death sentence takes away the offender’s life in retribution for having committed murder (an eye for an eye). Those charged with the umbrella term of “intentional murder” are sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) regardless of intent or circumstances due to a lack of grading in law. Once a defendant has been convicted, the victim’s family, as the plaintiffs, are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.