Iran Human Rights (IHR); December 9, 2020: Daniel Divani-Azar, a death row prisoner sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for the murder of Sadegh Barmaki, has been executed at Miandoab Prison. Another defendant in the case who was under the age of 18 at the time of his arrest, was killed after being beaten by prison officials and the third defendant was executed two days ago.
According to Iran Human Rights, Daniel Divani-Azar, a defendant in the Sadegh Barmaki murder case, was executed in the early hours of this morning, December 9, in Miandoab Prison.
On September 22, 2017, the three defendants in the case shared videos and selfies of themselves killing and setting fire to the young body of Sadegh Barmaki, which was met with widespread public outrage in the Mahabad region.
Following their arrest, Kamal Asghari, Daniel Zeinolabedin and Daniel Divani-Azar were all sentenced to death. Daniel Zeinolabedin who was 17 at the time of the murder and a child-convict, was killed in April this year, after being beaten by prison officials. Kamal Asghari was executed at Mahabad Prison on December 9, 2020.
According to Iran Human Rights’ annual report, at least 225 of the 280 of those executed in 2019 were charged with "premeditated murder."
As there are no legal distinctions made between murder and manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary in Iran, those charged under the umbrella term of “premeditated murder” will receive the death penalty regardless of intent and the circumstances.
Another defendant in this case, Behnam Kamal Asghari, was executed in Mahabad Prison two days ago, on Monday, December 8th.