Kurdish-Sunni Kamran Sheikheh Executed; One Execution Every 8 Hours in Past 6 Days

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, Kamran Sheikheh, a 40-year-old Kurdish-Sunni political prisoner, was executed in Urmia (Darya) Central Prison.

Kamran Sheikheh was arrested along with Ghasem Abasteh, Davoud Abdollahi, Ayoub Karimi, Farhad Salimi, Khosro Besharat and Anwar Khezri in January 2010.

They were interrogated in Urmia before being transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran. They were subsequently transferred to Gohardasht (Rajai Shahr) Prison in Karaj where they were held until its closure in August when they were transferred to Ghezelhesar Prison. An informed source previously told IHRNGO that the seven political prisoners were physically and psychologically tortured to extract forced confessions.

They were sentenced to death for charges of moharebeh (enmity against god) and efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) through “armed action and membership in a Salafi jihadi group” in a case with seven defendants by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in February/March 2016. While the ruling was subsequently overturned by the Supreme Court, they were resentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court five years ago.

Kamran Sheikheh is the last defendant in the case to be executed in the last two months. Ghasem Abasteh was executed on 5 November 2023; Ayoub Karimi was executed on 29 November; Davoud Abdollahi was executed on 2 January 2024; Farhad Salimi was executed on 23 January; Anwar Khezri was executed on 1st May; Khosro Besharat was executed on 15 May.

It is believed that the number of people executed in Urmia Central Prison this morning could be more than just one.

Iran Human Rights has recorded 20 executions since 20 July, which were predominantly for drug-related and murder charges. Iran Human Rights previously warned of the new wave of post-election executions on 3 July.