Activists and Human Rights Organizations Warn of Imminent Executions of Reza Rasayi and Mojahid Korkori

Human rights activists and organizations have warned of the imminent execution of two prisoners, Reza Rasayi and Mojahid Korkori, following a family visit with Rasayi and the referral of Korkori's case to the execution branch. According to the Dadan legal advice and training center, judicial and prison officials allowed Rasayi's family to meet him in person on Saturday, January 6. Atena Daemi, a civil and human rights activist, stated on 'X' that such visits for death row inmates signify a 'last meeting before execution' and raised concerns for Rasayi's life. Amnesty International, in a statement on Thursday, January 5, called for the cancellation of Rasayi's death sentence, emphasizing that it was issued after an unfair trial and 'forced confessions' obtained under torture. The report noted that Rasayi's case, a Kurdish political prisoner and follower of the Yarsan faith, has numerous legal flaws, and the 'lack of legal evidence' to prove his guilt led the court to rely on 'the judge's knowledge.' Previously, the Hengaw human rights organization reported that Rasayi's case had been sent to the execution branch of the criminal court in Kermanshah, highlighting the serious risk of his execution. Reza Rasayi, a 34-year-old protester, was sentenced to death for the murder of Nader Birami, the head of the IRGC intelligence department in the city of Sahneh. Meanwhile, on January 1, Dadan reported that Mojahid Korkori's case had also been referred to the execution branch, stressing that 'the threat of execution looms over him at any moment.' Korkori was sentenced to death by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on charges including 'moharebeh' (waging war against God) and 'efsad fil-arz' (corruption on earth). While the judiciary's media center accused him of involvement in the murder of Kian Pirfalak, a 9-year-old boy killed during protests in Izeh, Pirfalak's family has repeatedly denied this claim and stated they have no complaints against Korkori. Dadan reported that Korkori's arrest is part of 'a case fabrication' against several citizens. Amnesty International, in a statement on Friday, January 6, indicated that Korkori is at risk of execution and noted that he is held in solitary confinement and has been subjected to torture and mistreatment. The organization urged Iranian authorities to immediately halt the execution of this political prisoner. Amnesty emphasized that Korkori's trial must be conducted based on fair standards and acceptable international norms, rather than forced confessions. Moein Khazaeli, a lawyer, explained the contradictions in the sentences issued for Korkori and Rasayi, two condemned protesters, in an interview with Voice of America. Davood Abdollahi was executed, raising further concerns about Korkori and Rasayi. Several labor and professional organizations stated that the government seeks to push people back through executions and repression. In a message from prison, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb expressed that the government will sink into 'the quagmire it has created.' The Islamic Republic began the new Gregorian year with executions, while human rights organizations reported high execution rates in the previous year.