Charges of 'Baghi' Against Three Women in Iran; Concerns Over Possible Death Sentences for These Political Prisoners

Three political prisoners held in Evin Prison have been charged with 'Baghi' and face the possibility of the death penalty. According to the Hengaw human rights organization, the charges against Forough Taghipour, Marzieh Farsi, and Nasim Gholamifard include 'collaboration with the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization.' The legal advice and training center Dadban reports that the charge of 'Baghi' is considered a security offense punishable by death under Islamic Penal Code, defining a 'Baghi' as someone who engages in armed struggle against 'the foundation of the Islamic Republic.' The hearing to inform these three political prisoners of their charges took place on Saturday, December 9. Hengaw reports that the accusation of 'Baghi' puts the lives of these political prisoners at risk, exposing them to the death penalty or amputations. According to the report, Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi, who have previously been arrested for their activities, are considered members of the families of political prisoners from the 1980s in Iran. A recent report by a human rights activist group in Iran noted that several executed individuals were charged with 'Moharebeh and Baghi.' The increase in executions in Iran has faced criticism from human rights organizations, the United Nations, and various countries. The European Union issued a statement on Friday, December 1, calling the current pace of executions in Iran—at least 600 since the beginning of this year—'horrific' and demanding a halt to this 'cruel and inhumane' punishment. The UN Human Rights Office has also called on the Iranian government to stop the death penalty and to apply it only for the most serious crimes 'that intentionally and directly lead to death.'