Yesterday morning, four death row inmates were executed at Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. Three of the prisoners had been sentenced to death for murder and one for moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery.
According to Iran Human Rights, four male prisoners were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj yesterday, Tuesday, October 13.
The four prisoners had been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution on Sunday, October 11, in a group of about 10 death row inmates.
The identities of 3 of the prisoners have been established as Mohammad Yadi, Mehdi Ali and Saman Yameni. The fourth prisoner’s identity has yet to be established at the time of writing.
An informed source who provided the information to IHR, said: “Mohammad Yadi had been a fugitive for 12 years and had also spent 12 years behind bars until his execution. He had taken the rap for his brother so he could flee the country but his brother was killed in a car accident in England. The victim’s family and officials knew that he had nothing to do with the murder but they arrested and executed him.”
The source also said of Mehdi Ali: “He had been involved in the robbery of a gold shop and accused of moharebeh (enmity against God) but he had repented which the court had accepted and had even managed to gain the consent of the victim’s family. Mehdi Ali was actually waiting for the court to issue his release, but to everyone’s disbelief, he was taken for execution.”
Speaking about Saman Yameni, the source continued: “Saman and his brother Sasan were arrested for killing an elderly woman during a robbery. Initially, Sasan had been sentenced to death and Saman sentenced to 15 years in prison, however, Sasan appealed the decision and with the influence of the victim’s family, the appellate court sentenced both to death. They executed Sasan two years ago and today, Saman’s sentence was carried out. This is despite the fact that from the outset, forensic doctors had confirmed that the victim had died of fear and a heart attack.”
Another prisoner, Abolfazl Ghanipour, who was due to be executed today, managed to attain a three month extension from the plaintiffs and was returned to his cell.
At the time of publication, the execution of these 4 prisoners has not been announced by domestic media or officials in Iran.
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.
Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, October 14, 2020
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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
