At least nine prisoners are in imminent danger of execution in two different Iranian prisons.
Iran Human Rights (AUG 15 2017): Two prisoners in Hamadan Prison who are on death row on drug related charges were reportedly transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions. At least seven prisoners, including a juvenile offender, in Karaj's Rajai Shahr Prison were reportedly transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions.
Close sources say the prisoners at Rajai Shahr Prison were transferred on Monday August 14 and they are scheduled to be executed on Wednesday morning. An informed source tells Iran Human Rights that more than ten prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement, but only the names of seven of the prisoners were announced by the prison authorities. One of the prisoners, identified as Mehdi Bahluli, was reportedly 17 at the time of his arrest 15 years ago. The names of the other six prisoners are: Majid Rahimi, Mostafa Bashkouh, Rasoul Gol Mohammadi, Shahram Abadeh, Seyed Mohammad Seyed Abdollah, and Moharram Abdi. Most of these prisoners are reportedly on death row on murder charges. These prisoners can be spared from execution in the event that the complainants on their case files issue their forgiveness or a postponement. In Iran, the authorities place the responsibility of execution for murder charges on the shoulders of the murder victim's family.
The transfers at Hamadan Prison occurred on the morning of Sunday August 13, and close sources have identified the two prisoners as: Mansour Marati and Omid Ashti Jo.
"Mansour Marati was sentenced to death on the charge of 15 kilograms of heroin and had no previous criminal record. Omid Ashti Jo was sentenced to death on the charge of two and a half kilograms of crystal meth," an informed source tells Iran Human Rights.
Mansour Masrati and Omid Ashti Jo may be executed at any moment on drug related charges while the Iranian Parliament has approved a general plan to amend the law for combating drugs. The Parliament is scheduled to vote on the bill again in the coming days. In the event the bill receives final approval, the death sentences for many prisoners with drug charges will be commuted to a prison sentence.