Amnesty International Calls for Halt to 'Imminent' Executions of Two Individuals in Iran

On Tuesday, Amnesty International called for a halt to the execution orders of Mehdi Bahlooli and Payman Barandah, who, according to the organization, committed their crimes before reaching the legal age. Amnesty International announced in a statement that Mehdi Bahlooli is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday morning, April 30, at Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj, and Payman Barandah's execution is planned for three weeks later at a prison in Shiraz. This international, non-governmental human rights organization described Mehdi Bahlooli as someone who has spent the last 15 years on death row. Mr. Bahlooli's family reported that they were contacted to visit the prison for a final meeting. Amnesty International states that Mehdi Bahlooli was 17 years old and Payman Barandah was 16 years old at the time of their crimes. Both individuals were tried and convicted for knife-related murder. Philip Luther, an Amnesty International director, commented: 'The execution of these two young men is a shocking violation of international law and keeps Iran as one of the largest executors of juvenile offenders.' Iran not only has one of the highest rates of executions in the world but has executed individuals who were under the legal age (18 years) at the time of their crimes on multiple occasions.