Arrest of a Pediatric Specialist in Iran Following Protest Against Death Sentences for Political Prisoners

Mehrshad Kalini, a pediatric specialist, was arrested following a peaceful street protest against the issuance of death sentences for political prisoners in Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. According to the Iran Human Rights Association, Mehrshad Kalini was arrested on Tuesday, May 7, after he held a protest sign in Lordegan's municipality square against the death sentences of two political prisoners, Mahmoud Mehrabi and Khosrow Basharat. Government agents detained this anti-death penalty physician and transferred him to an unknown location. On his protest sign, he wrote: 'No to the execution of Mahmoud Mehrabi and Khosrow Basharat.' The Isfahan Revolutionary Court has sentenced Mahmoud Mehrabi, a detained protester from Bahman 1401, to death on charges such as 'corruption on earth.' Khosrow Basharat, a Sunni Kurdish citizen, is also facing the death penalty for 'membership in Salafi groups.' Arash Sadeghi, a human rights activist, expressed concern about the imminent execution of Khosrow Basharat, stating that he and six co-defendants should be released in a 'fair trial' process. The Iran Human Rights Organization reported on Thursday, May 2, that the Islamic Republic executed 63 prisoners over two weeks, from April 17 to May 1. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic executed one prisoner every five hours. The judiciary's response to the death sentence for Mahmoud Mehrabi, a political prisoner, stated that the ruling is preliminary and subject to appeal. Pressure continues on the families of the victims seeking justice; the detention of Farzad Moazemi Goudarzi has been extended for another month. Two American lawmakers condemned the increase in executions in Iran as a 'direct order from Ali Khamenei.' The 'Censorship Index' organization called for immediate UN action to stop the execution of Tomaj Salehi.