Amnesty International Calls for Halt to Execution of Abdolreza Rasayi

Amnesty International, in a statement released on Thursday, January 4, has called for the cancellation of the death sentence of Abdolreza Rasayi. The human rights organization states that his death sentence was issued following an unfair trial that accepted 'forced confessions' obtained under torture as 'evidence.' Amnesty International has urged everyone to send an urgent letter to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic, demanding the cancellation of Rasayi's death sentence. Abdolreza Rasayi, 34, from the Kurdish and Yarsan (Ahl-e Haq) ethnic and religious minority, is at risk of execution in connection with the nationwide protests of 'Women, Life, Freedom' in Dizel Abad prison in Kermanshah province. Amnesty International has requested that this appeal be sent to the Islamic Republic's embassy in the European Union in Brussels, emphasizing that his death sentence was issued by a criminal court after a severely unfair trial that accepted 'forced confessions' obtained under torture as 'evidence.' Rasayi's case, accused of 'murdering' a police officer, was sent to the 'execution department' in the Kermanshah judiciary after the confirmation of the 'qisas' (retribution) sentence by the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic on Sunday, January 1. Abdolreza Rasayi was arrested on November 24 in Shahriar, Tehran province, by the police and transferred to the intelligence detention center. Amnesty International cites an informed source stating that intelligence officers subjected Rasayi to torture and abuse during interrogations, including electric shocks, suffocation with a plastic bag over his head, and severe beatings for forced confessions. He only met with his lawyer for the first time during the trial, which was held over three sessions. Amnesty International asserts that Rasayi's right to a fair trial has been clearly violated. The human rights organization states that trials for criminal offenses must comply with international standards without resorting to the death penalty, and 'confessions' obtained under torture should not be relied upon. An informed source close to Rasayi, after the confirmation of his death sentence, urged the public in an interview with the Persian section of Voice of America not to allow 'another innocent person' to be executed. Warnings about the 'imminent execution' of a protester; Rasayi's case has been sent to 'execution' department. A rally was held in support of Mojahid Korkor and Abdolreza Rasayi in front of the Islamic Republic's embassy in Berlin. Iran Human Rights Organization: The international community must act to 'stop the execution' of Iranian protesters. Confirmation of Abdolreza Rasayi's death sentence; a source close to the family: Do not let an innocent head hang on the gallows. Amnesty International warns of the risk of execution for five detained protesters in Iran.