Amnesty International Condemns Execution of Jamshid Sharmard by the Islamic Republic

Amnesty International condemned the execution of Jamshid Sharmard, an Iranian-German citizen, by the Islamic Republic in a statement released on Tuesday, November 8. The organization stated that Sharmard's 'arbitrary execution' by Iranian authorities demonstrates their 'outrageous and blatant violation of the right to life.' Amnesty International noted that the use of the death penalty under any circumstances is horrific, and emphasized that 'the arbitrary execution of Jamshid Sharmard following a severely unfair trial, considering the relentless oppression by Iranian authorities against him and his family, is even more horrifying.' According to the organization, Jamshid Sharmard was kidnapped by the Islamic Republic in the summer of 1399 (2020) in the United Arab Emirates and transferred to Iran, where he was subjected to a list of serious human rights violations and crimes under international law. Amnesty International stated that 'Jamshid Sharmard was deprived of the right to have an independent lawyer of his choice, adequate legal defense, protection against torture and other ill-treatment, the presumption of innocence, and a trial by a competent and impartial court.' The organization further noted that the Islamic Republic repeatedly broadcast Sharmard's forced confessions in pre-trial propaganda videos, during the trial, and after the verdict was issued. Amnesty International added that Iranian authorities long refrained from informing about Sharmard since his arbitrary detention, which constitutes a crime under international law, as they did not notify his family and independent lawyer about his place of detention. The organization stated that Jamshid Sharmard repeatedly denied the accusations against him by the Islamic Republic, and no independent, impartial, and effective investigation was conducted regarding his claims of torture and other ill-treatment in prison. Amnesty International reported that Jamshid Sharmard was sentenced to death for 'corruption on earth' in early 1402 (2023) following a 'severely unfair' trial at the Tehran Revolutionary Court. According to the organization, this sentence was executed after being upheld by the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic. In its statement, Amnesty International called on the German government to conduct criminal investigations against Islamic Republic officials who participated in actions against Jamshid Sharmard in any way and to issue arrest warrants. The judiciary of the Islamic Republic announced the execution of this political activist on Monday, November 7. Jamshid Sharmard, 68, a German citizen with permanent residency in the United States, was kidnapped by the intelligence forces of the Islamic Republic in the UAE and forcibly transferred to Iran. After a trial that the international community considers 'fabricated,' he was sentenced to death for 'corruption on earth.' A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department emphasized in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmard that the Islamic Republic executes Iranians merely for exercising their fundamental human rights. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on Monday, November 7, in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmard, a dual Iranian-German citizen, by the Islamic Republic: 'The Iranian government executes its citizens in response to their exercise of fundamental human rights.' Mr. Miller emphasized: 'The execution of prisoners by the Islamic Republic is a fundamental violation of their human rights, and the U.S. has repeatedly stated its opposition to this.' Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, in response to a request from Voice of America for comment on the execution of Jamshid Sharmard by the Islamic Republic, stated that 'the killing' of a German citizen has serious consequences. Josep Borrell: 'We condemn the 'murder' of Jamshid Sharmard in the strongest terms.' Following the execution of Jamshid Sharmard, Germany recalled its ambassador from Iran. Reaction from Prince Reza Pahlavi to the execution of Jamshid Sharmard: 'We will not rest until justice is achieved.' Jamshid Sharmard's daughter called for 'immediate punishment' of the Islamic Republic for her father's execution. The German Foreign Ministry told Voice of America: 'The execution of Sharmard has serious consequences for the Iranian government.' The U.S. Special Envoy's Deputy: The execution of Jamshid Sharmard demonstrates the continuation of the Iranian government's 'heinous actions.'