Report on 200 Days of Protest Repression/List of at Risk Protesters
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 4, 2023: In the 200 days since the start of the nationwide protests, at least 537 people have been killed by state forces according to Iran Human Rights records. The majority were killed in the first months of protests. The Islamic Republic has also executed four protesters after show trials and without due process, which were met with a strong backlash by the international community.
However, in the same time period, at least 309 people were executed across Iran which the international community has failed to react to. Of those, 180 were executed for drug-related charges.
Emphasising that the Islamic Republic uses the death penalty as a tool of intimidation, Iran Human Rights considers the significant rise in execution numbers during the nationwide protests to be in line with this.
Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “International attention and backlash to the execution of protesters increased the political cost of these executions for the Islamic Republic but it wasn’t enough to stop its execution and killing machine. To intimidate and create societal fear, executions for non-political crimes were intensified. Now, the international community’s lack of reaction to the daily executions in Iran can lead to an unprecedented wave of executions of those charged with drug offences, the low-cost victims of the Islamic Republic’s execution machine.”
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, at least 537 people including 48 women and 68 children have been killed by security forces since the start of the nationwide protests 200 days ago.
The aforementioned numbers only relate to protests on the streets. The protesters executed and those that have died under suspicious circumstances (include alleged suicides) shortly after release, are not included in these statistics.
There was a spike in executions for non-political crimes in the weeks after the start of the nationwide protests. In the last three and half months of 2023, at least 164 people, including two protesters, were executed in Iran. This trend continued into 2023, with at least 145 people, including two protesters, executed in the first three months of the year.
Death Toll by Province
Protesters have been killed in 25 provinces, with the most reported in Sistan and Baluchistan, Western Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Tehran and Mazandaran respectively.
Deaths have been recorded in 26 provinces: Sistan and Baluchistan: 134 people; Tehran: 69 people; Kurdistan: 57 people; West Azerbaijan: 56 people; Mazandaran: 41 people; Alborz: 31 people; Gilan: 28 people; Kermanshah: 24 people; Isfahan: 19 people; Khuzestan: 17 people; Fars: 15 people; Khorasan-Razavi: 9 people; East Azerbaijan: 5 people; Qazvin: 5 people; Zanjan: 3 people; Lorestan: 3 people; Markazi: 3 people; Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad: 3 people; Hamedan: 2 people; Ardabil: 2 people; Ilam: 2 people; Bushehr: 2 people; Hormozgan: 2 people; Golestan: 2 people; Semnan: 1 person; North Khorasan: 1 person.
Crucial to note: Iran Human Rights started researching and recording protester deaths from the outset of protests. In the course of research and as new information is obtained, the data will be adjusted accordingly. As such, it is reflected in the change in province numbers. The number of protesters killed are an absolute minimum and do not include security forces.
PROTESTERS AT RISK OF EXECUTION, DEATH PENALTY CHARGES OR SENTENCES IN IRAN
This list includes both officially reported cases and those reported by family members and citizen journalists. Iran Human Rights has been unable to confirm the details of all individual cases and therefore requests that anyone with information about protesters at risk of death penalty charges or sentences contact us on [email protected] or 0061478494849 on Signal, WhatsApp or Telegram. Due to a lack of transparency in the Islamic Republic Judiciary and the pressure on families to stay silent, the numbers are an absolute minimum.
Since the January 27 list, nine people were removed: ten were released on bail and one whose death sentence was commuted to a prison term. Seven people at risk were added to the list. Of the 105 people, 19 have been sentenced to death in the preliminary trials with some at appeal stage and retrial.
Protesters at risk according to province: Khuzestan: 25 people; Sistan and Baluchistan: 21 people; Tehran: 19 people; Mazandaran: 9 people; Isfahan: 7 people; West Azerbaijan: 7 people; Gilan: 5 people; Alborz: 3 people; Razavi Khorasan: 3 people; Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari: 2 people; Kurdistan: 2 people; East Azerbaijan: 1 person; Kermanshah: 1 person;.
It is important to note that all defendants in the following cases have been deprived of the right to access their own lawyer, due process and fair trials. In cases where they have had managed to make contact or details of their cases reported by cellmates and human rights defenders, all have been subjected to physical and mental torture to force false self-incriminating confessions. In many cases, their forced confessions were aired prior to the commencement of any legal proceedings, violating their right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The forced confessions are used as a method of proving guilt at show trials. There is ambiguity in many cases due to the Islamic Republic’s lack of transparency. Those no longer at risk have been removed from the list with updates added at the end of the report.
SISTAN AND BALUCHISTAN PROVINCE
The following two individuals are relatives from Cheshme Ziarat village who were arrested 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.
1. FARSHID HASSANZEHI, 25 (فرشید حسنزهی)
He had an alibi, was working at his job in a shop that day, which was confirmed by his employer.
CHARGES: Unclear.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
2. JAMSHID HASSANZEHI, 29 (جمشید حسنزهی)
He had an alibi, was working at his job in a shop that day, which was confirmed by his employer.
CHARGES: Unclear.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
3. NEZAMEDIN HOOT, 20 (نظامالدین هوت)
Protester arrested in Chabahar.
CHARGES:
Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
4. MANSOUR HOOT, 25 (منصور هوت)
Protester arrested in Chabahar.
CHARGES:
Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
5. MANSOUR DAHMARDEH, 22 (منصور دهمرده)
Disabled bus driver arrested on the route from Zahedan to Bandar Abbas. He was subjected to severe torture for ten days to force self-incriminating confessions.
CHARGES:
Efsad-fil-arz.
STATUS: Sentenced to death on 5 January 2023 which was announced to him in prison.
7. MOHAMMAD RAKHSHANI-AZAD, 16 (محمد رخشانی آزاد)
Baluch boy with epilepsy who was arrested the day after Zahedan’s Bloody Friday.
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
8. ALI RAKHSHANI-AZAD, 15 (علی رخشانی آزاد)
Mohammad’s younger brother who was arrested the day after Zahedan’s Bloody Friday.
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
9. SHOEIB MIRBALUCHZEHI RIGI, 18 (شعیب میربلوچزهی ریگی)
Baluch protester.
CHARGES:
Efsad-fil-arz.
STATUS: Sentenced to death.
10. OMID KASHANI, 26 (امید کاشانی)
Sookhtbar (fuel carrier) and close friend of Khodanour Lejei.
CHARGES:
Unclear
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
11. HOSSEIN KASHANI, 29 (حسین کاشانی)
Close friend of Khodanour Lejei, arrested the day after Zahedan’s Bloody Friday and currently held in Ward 9 of Zahedan Central Prison.
CHARGES:
Unclear.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
12. FARHAD NAKHAEI, 18 (فرهاد نخعی)
Baluch arrested at protest against rape of 15 year old girl Baluch girl by the Chabahar police chief.
CHARGES: Unclear
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
13. MOHAMMAD FOULADI, 18 (محمد فولادی)
Baluch arrested at protest against rape of 15 year old girl Baluch girl by the Chabahar police chief.
CHARGES: Unclear
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
14. ADEL GARGIJ, 22 (عادل گرگیج)
Baluch protester held in Ward 9 of Zahedan Central Prison who is reportedly in poor health due to physical and psychological torture in detention.
CHARGES: Moharebeh.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
The following three individuals were arrested in connection with the death of Friday prayer Imam Sajad Shahraki:
15. 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: Unclear
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
16. 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: Unclear
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
17. RUHOLLAH KAHRAZEHI, 21 (روحالله کهرازهی)
He was friends with Arash Narouyi-Shirani.
CHARGES: Unclear
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
18. EBRAHIM NAROUYI, 25 (ابراهیم نارویی)
Zahedan protester arrested for charges of arson of a bank and destroying public property.
CHARGES: Death penalty charges.
STATUS: Sentenced to death.
19. KAMBIZ KHAROUT, 20 (کامبیز خروت)
Zahedan protester arrested at his place of employment on October 1 and subjected to torture to force self-incriminating confessions.
CHARGES: Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz
STATUS: Sentenced to death.
On January 15, 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.
20. ABDOLLAH BALUCHZEHI (عبدالله بلوچزهی)
CHARGES: Moharebeh and qisas
STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.
21. AREF BALUCHZEHI (عارف بلوچزهی)
CHARGES: Moharebeh and qisas
STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.
TEHRAN
22. MANOUCHEHR MEHMAN NAVAZ, 45 (منوچهر مهماننواز)
CHARGES:
Arson of buildings with the intention of opposing the Islamic government/moharebeh punishment for throwing Molotov cocktails at a government building
STATUS: Sentenced to death by Branch 28 of Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Amouzad.
23. MOHAMMAD GHOBADLU, 22 (محمد قبادلو)
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 December 10 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 January 23, the Supreme Court accepted his appeal.
24. SAMAN SEYDI, 24 (سامان سیدی)
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 has 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.
25. MOHAMMAD BOROUGHANI, 19 (محمد بروغنی)
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 January 2 but a stay of execution was granted on January 11 pending a new appeal.
26. MAHAN SADRAT-MADANI (MARANI), 22 (ماهان صدرات مدنی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh through drawing a cold weapon (knife).
STATUS: Death sentence issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari. The case was referred to a court of equal standing by the Supreme Court based on Article 474(g) of the Islamic Penal Code.
27. 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. Verdict unclear.
28. 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. Verdict unclear.
29. 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. Verdict unclear.
The following five individuals were arrested in relation to the case of the death of IRGC Arman Ali Verdi in Ekbatan on October 26. According to released photos by the Judiciary, there are at least three other unidentified men and a woman in the case.
30. MILAD ARMOUN, 22 (میلاد آرمون)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: Charged.
31. ALIREZA KAFAYI (علیرضا کفایی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: Charged.
32. MEHDI HOSSIENI, 27 (مهدی حسینی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: Charged.
33. HOSSEIN NEMATI, 24 (حسین نعمتی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: Charged.
34. MEHDI IMANI (مهدی ایمانی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: Charged.
35. MOHAMMAD FEIZI, 27 (محمد فیضی)
CHARGES:
Efsad-fil-arz.
STATUS: Charged.
36. SAJAD IMANNEJAD, 31 (سجاد ایماننژاد)
CHARGES: Moharebeh
STATUS: At risk of death penalty charges.
37. PARHAM PARVARI, 25 (پرهام پروری)
Swimming champion from Saqqez.
CHARGES: Moharebeh
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
38. MEHDI BAHMAN (مهدی بهمن)
Writer and artist who worked for friendship amongst religions.
CHARGES: Espionage for interview with Israel’s channel 13.
STATUS: Sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Amouzad.
39. GHODRAT MOBAREZ (قدرت مبارز)
Eleven staff members from a restaurant called “Terrace” were arrested in November for allegations of throwing a molotov cocktail at a mosque. Of the eleven, five were charged with moharebeh. Of those, four were released on February 9. However, there is no news about the fate of Afghan-national Ghodrat Mobarez.
CHARGES: Moharebeh.
STATUS: Charged.
40. AMIRHOSSEIN TERVAL, 20 (امیرحسین تروال)
Arrested in October, there are reports that Amirhossein was tried for moharebeh charges, though there is no clear information about the trial or verdict.
CHARGES: Moharebeh.
STATUS: Charged.
KHUZESTAN
41. MOJAHED KOURKOUR (مجاهد کورکور)
Bakhtiari man arrested and tortured to force confession to killing 10-year-old Kian Pirfalak who was killed by security forces in Izeh on November 17. His forced confessions were aired prior to any legal proceedings. His trial took place on March 19.
CHARGES: Moharebeh, efsad-fil-arz, baghy and causing damage to the physical integrity of seven people including Kian Pirfalak.
STATUS: Awaiting verdict from the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court. He may have another case at the Criminal Court.
42. BAHMAN BAHMANI (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 is scheduled to take place on April 8.
The following 23 individuals are protesters from Baghe Malek in Khuzestan who have been indicted for charges of moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz in the same case. No further details are available.
43. AMIN AMIRI (امین امیری)
44. MILAD ZAKAVI (میلاد زکوی)
45. SAEED RAYGANI MAJ (سعید رایگانیماج)
46. MAJID YOUSEFI HEZARVAND (مجید یوسفی هزاروند)
47. NILOUFAR GHAHREMANI (نیلوفر قهرمانی)
48. MOHAMMAD BAKHSHI (محمد بخشی)
49. SEYEDEH SHIRIN MARASHI (سیده شیرین مرعشی)
50. MOJTABA FARKHAJEH MIRI (مجتبی فرخواجهمیری)
51. MOSLEM NOROUZI NASAB (مسلم نوروزی نسب)
52. ARSALAN KORDI (ارسلان کردی)
53. JAMAL GHASEMIAN NASAB (جمال قاسمیاننسب)
54. SEYED MOHAMAD TABATABAI (سیدمحمد طباطبایی)
55. ELHAM SARIRIZADEH (الهام صریریزاده)
56. SASAN ZANGANEH (ساسان زنگنه)
57. YOUSEF AKH SHEIKH (یوسف آخشیخ)
58. MOSTAFA KORDI (مصطفی کردی)
59. JAMSHID GHASEMIAN SERESHT (جمشید قاسمیان سرشت)
60. VALIOLLAH ADELZADEH (ولیالله عادلزاده)
61. SAJAD SHAFIEI (سجاد شفیعی)
62. MOHAMMAD JAVAD KORDI (محمدجواد کردی)
63. SALMAN EIVAZINEJAD (سلمان عیوضینژاد)
64. HAMZEH SHAFIEI (حمزه شفیعی)
65. MOHAMAD NAZARI (محمد نظری)
MAZANDARAN
The following three individuals are Noshahr protesters who were arrested for participating in protests in September. A fourth person has reportedly also been sentenced to death. The defendants were tortured to force self-incriminating confessions and to testify against each other.
66. JAVAD ROUHI, 35 (جواد روحی)
Protester subjected to torture to force self-incriminating confessions. A video of him dancing on the streets was used as evidence of his leadership of protests.
CHARGES: Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz and apostasy through burning a quran and insulting the sanctities.
STATUS: Sentenced to three death sentences by the Sari Revolutionary Court. His lawyer has been granted access to the case and has filed an appeal. His case was referred to Branch 9 of the Supreme Court for appeal on February 6.
67. MEHDI MOHMMADIFARD, 18 (مهدی محمدیفرد)
Protester subjected to torture to force self-incriminating confessions.
CHARGES: Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz.
STATUS: Sentenced to two death sentences by the Sari Revolutionary Court.
68. ARSHIA TAKDASTAN, 18 (عرشیا تکدستان)
Forced to confess to leadership of the protest in Noshahr.
CHARGES: Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz.
STATUS: Sentenced to two death sentences by the Sari Revolutionary Court. The Supreme Court accepted his appeal and overturned his sentence on March 13.
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 have denied. They are at risk of moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz charges:
69. MEGHDAD YAGHOUBI, U25 (مقداد یعقوبی)
70. ALI AKBARJANI, U25 (علی اکبرجانی)
71. ALI ASGHAR FAGHANI, U25 (علیاصغر فغانی)
72. HOSSEIN SHABANI, U25 (حسین شعبانی)
73. MOHAMMAD RASOULI, U25 (محمد رسولی)
74. ALI RASOULI, U25 (علی رسولی)
ISFAHAN
Ten people were arrested in relation to the death of three repressive forces in Isfahan on November 16. According to the Isfahan judiciary, four defendants are 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 January 9 sentenced Amir Nasr Azadani and Soheil Jahangiri to prison terms and the charges against Jaber MIrHashemi were dropped. Hossein Kazemi was released. 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. The following seven people are defendants in that case:
75. SAEED YAGHOUBI, 30 (سعید یعقوبی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh through drawing and using a weapon.
STATUS: Sentenced to death by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court on January 9.
76. SALEH MIRHASHEMI, 36 (صالح میرهاشمی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh through drawing a weapon, forming and running a criminal group with the intention to disrupt national security, and assembly and collusion leading to crimes against internal security.
STATUS: Sentenced to death by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court on January 9.
77. MAJID KAZEMI, 30 (مجید کاظمی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh through drawing a weapon.
STATUS: Sentenced to death by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court on January 9.
78. FARAMARZ SALEHI (فرامرز صالحی)
CHARGES:
Unknown.
STATUS: Indicted.
79. MEHDI MASHAYEKHI (مهدی مشایخی)
CHARGES:
Unknown.
STATUS: Indicted.
80. ABOLFAZL BADIALAH (ابوالفضل بادیاله)
CHARGES:
Unknown.
STATUS: Indicted.
81. HESHMATOLLAH TABARZADI, 63 (حشمتالله طبرزدی)
Political activist.
CHARGES:
Efsad-fil-arz
STATUS: charged.
WEST AZERBAIJAN
The following seven individuals are protesters from Oshnavieh.
82. 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.
83. 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.
84. FARZAD MOHAMMADPOUR (فرزاد محمدپور)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh and efsad-fil-arz
STATUS: Unclear.
85. HIMAN SHAHI (KARVAN SHAHPARVANEH), 23 (هیمن شاهی)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: Unclear.
86. SHAHRAM MAROUFMOLA, 22 (شهرام معروف ملا)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: Unclear.
87. REZA ESLAMDOUST, 24 (رضا اسلامدوست)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: Unclear.
88. AYOUB AGHLIANI (ایوب آغلیانی)
CHARGES:
Death penalty charges.
STATUS: Unclear.
GILAN
89. ALI (MAKAN) DAVARI, 19 (علی داوری)
CHARGES:
Moharebeh, efsad-fil-arz and assembly and collusion against national security. Held in Lahijan Prison.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
90. 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.
91. RAHMAT NOROUZI (رحمت نوروزی)
Rasht resident who was tortured to confess to arson of an IRGC base.
CHARGES: Moharebeh
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
92. MAJID SHABDINI (مجید شبدینی)
Lahijan protester arrested on November 3 while severely injured from batons, electric shockers and pellet bullets. While hospitalised, security forces tried to force him into confessing to participating in the murder of basiji Hamid Pour Norouz, who was allegedly killed that day. He was kidnapped from the hospital after refusing to sign the confession.
CHARGES:
Qisas (retribution in kind) for participating in murder.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
93. MOSTAFA MOHEBI, 35 (مصطفی محبی)
Computer engineer arrested on February 3. He suffers from cancer and is reported to be in bad physical health without necessary medical treatment at Rasht Central Prison.
CHARGES: Connection with a terrorist group and espionage.
STATUS: at risk of death penalty charges.
ALBORZ
The following three individuals were sentenced to death in relation to the death of an IRGC Ruhollah Ajamian at the scene of Hadis Najafi’s 40th day memorial on the Karaj-Qazvin motorway next to the cemetery on November 3. The other two defendants in this case, Mohammad Mehdi Karami, 22, and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, 39, were executed on January 7.
94. HAMID GHAREH-HASSANLU, 53 (حمید قرهحسنلو)
Radiologist.
CHARGES:
Efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) by committing crimes against national security
STATUS: Sentenced to death by Branch One of the Alborz province Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Asef Alhosseini. The Supreme Court has referred the case back to the court which issued the original sentence based on Article 469(b)(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedures. Defence lawyers have requested more time to present their defence at retrial.
95. HOSSEIN MOHAMMADI, 26 (حسین محمدی)
Theatre actor.
CHARGES:
Efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) by committing crimes against national security
STATUS: Sentenced to death by Branch One of the Alborz province Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Asef Alhosseini. The Supreme Court has referred the case back to the court which issued the original sentence based on Article 469(b)(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedures. Defence lawyers have requested more time to present their defence at retrial.
96. REZA ARIA, 43 (رضا آریا)
CHARGES:
Efsad-fil-arz by committing crimes against national security, attacking police and basiji forces, assembly and collusion against national security
STATUS: Sentenced to death by Branch One of the Alborz province Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Asef Alhosseini. The Supreme Court has referred the case back to the court which issued the original sentence based on Article 469(b)(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedures. Defence lawyers have requested more time to present their defence at retrial.
RAZAVI KHORASAN
97. MAHSA MOHAMMADI, 22 (مهسا محمدی)
Microbiology student in Sabzevar, Razavi Khorasan province, arrested for a tweet.
CHARGES: Sabol-nabi (insulting the prophet).
STATUS: unclear.
98. 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.
99. 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
CHAHARMAHAL AND BAKHTIARI
100. TOOMAJ SALEHI, 32 (توماج صالحی)
Famous rapper and human rights defender.
CHARGES:
Efsad-fil-arz through publishing widespread lies, causing major damage, forming and running an illegal group in order to disrupt national security, collaborating with a hostile state and inciting and encouraging others to commit violent acts
STATUS: Indicted by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. His lawyers were granted access to his case on 29 December 2022.
101. ARASH GHANBARI, 29 (آرش قنبری)
He was arrested on December 29 for his anti-regime Instagram posts and videos. His family were told to stop following up on his case as he will be executed.
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: at risk of charges.
KURDISTAN
102. POURIA JAVAHERI (پوریا جواهری)
Worker and protester arrested in Kamyaran, Kurdistan province, 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 Kamyaran.
CHARGES: Moharebeh.
STATUS: unclear.
103. RAFIGH SALIMI (رفیق سلیمی)
Arrested with his son on November 28, he is held in Sanandaj Central Prison without necessary medical treatment. His son was released on bail.
CHARGES: Efsad-fil-arz
STATUS: Indicted.
KERMANSHAH
104. REZA RASAYI, 34 (رضا رسایی)
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 “Women, Life, Liberty” signs. Authorities falsely claim the gathering which they violently crushed, was unrelated to protests. 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.
EAST AZERBAIJAN
105. PEJMAN ESLAMI (پژمان اسلامی)
Has been charged with arson of a bank and being a protest leader in Tabriz.
CHARGES:
Moharebeh.
STATUS: charged by Branch 15 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court.
Update on protesters removed from the list:
- HEJAR HAMIDI (released on bail on January 25)
- ABDOLMALEK DOUSTI (released on bail on January 31)
- AMIR ARSALAN MAHDAVI (released on bail on February 6)
- ALI JAHANGIRI (released on bail on February 9)
- MEHDI SHIRANI (released on bail on February 9)
- SINA MOHAMMAD REZAEI (released on bail on February 9)
- AHMAD (in Lavasan case) (released on bail on February 9)
- RAMIN POURAMIN (released on February 14)
- SAHAND NOUR MOHAMMADZADEH (death sentence commuted on March 29)
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).
Under the previous IPC, which was in force until 2013, the charge of moharebeh was frequently used against political dissidents and people with connections to opposition groups abroad, regardless of whether they had personally used force or not. The current IPC has provided for their punishment under the vague charges of efsad- fil-arz and baghy.
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.