Iran Human Rights Warns of Hike in Executions over Christmas

During this time, particularly individuals such as women, juvenile offenders, protesters, and political prisoners whose executions could elicit stronger reactions under normal circumstances are at greater risk.

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 16, 2023: Samira Sabzian’s postponed execution is likely to be carried out in the coming days. At the same time as the recent high wave of executions, an unnamed man was executed for “links with foreign services including Mossad” in Zahedan and a Baluch man named Mohsen Salarzehi was executed for drug-related charges in Iranshahr. At least 31 people including 8 Baluch minorities have been executed in the last week.

Iran Human Rights warns of continued high execution numbers, particularly the imminent execution of Samira Sabzian. It calls on the public, civil society and the international community to try to save the lives of Samira and other death row prisoners through anti-death penalty campaigns and political reactions.

Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “An average of more than four executions per day during the past week should not go without a reaction from the global community. There is concern that during the Christmas and New Year holidays, when many parts of the world are on vacation, more people may be at risk of execution.”

He added: “During this time, particularly individuals such as women, juvenile offenders, protesters, and political prisoners whose executions could elicit stronger reactions under normal circumstances are at greater risk.”

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, Samira Sabzian’s execution is likely to be carried out in the coming days. Her scheduled execution for the murder of her husband which was due to be carried out on 13 December, was postponed for a week. Samira was a child bride who has been on death row for ten years.

The judiciary’s Mizan news agency has also reported the execution of an unnamed man for “links with foreign services including Mossad” in Zahedan Central Prison on 16 December. The execution’s timing a day after the armed attack on Rask police headquarters raises suspicions of the execution being retaliatory.

According to Haal Vsh, a man was also executed in Iranshahr Prison on 16 December. His identity has been reported as 26-year-old Mohsen Salarzehi from Zabol who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges.

Iran Human Rights has recorded 31 executions including between 9-16 December 2023.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, December 16, 2023

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