Concerns Over the Imminent Execution of Three Detained Protesters in the 'House of Isfahan' Case

Iranian news sources, based on statements from judicial officials, have warned the families of the accused in the 'House of Isfahan' case about the imminent execution of Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaqoubi, and Saleh Mirhashimi. According to an audio file released on Sunday, May 14, Majid Kazemi, a condemned protester, states, 'I was under torture the whole time,' and that they used a 'stun gun' on him in a car, saying, 'We will hang you with your brothers, Hossein and Mehdi,' and 'Think about your family.' This condemned protester emphasizes that he has been subjected to 'mental and physical torture' and was told during interrogation, 'Help your family. We won't leave your father and mother alone.' Majid Kazemi describes the tortures and threats of sexual assault in prison, stating that he told the judge that his confessions were coerced under torture and 'by the God of God, I have done nothing.' He insists on the falsehood of the accusations against him, emphasizing that he was forced to confess under torture and threats, adding, 'I was working until eight-thirty at night. Which group was I affiliated with? I am a tradesman. I have a copper shop. I have no criminal record. What group? What party? What story?' The elderly mother of Saeed Yaqoubi also emphasized that her son was 'working.' News sources report that on Sunday, May 14, judicial officials met with Majid Kazemi's family and indicated that they had been told on Saturday that 'they will be executed in just a few days,' raising concerns about the likelihood of the executions. Meanwhile, an informed source told Voice of America that the family of Majid Kazemi was informed that 'within these two or three days,' the three detained protesters would be executed. According to the informed source, the families of Majid Kazemi and Saleh Mirhashimi suspect that their executions might occur 'tonight.' Some news sources have reported that the families of these three detained protesters have been silenced through threats. During the protests on November 16 in the 'House of Isfahan' neighborhood, three Basij members named 'Mohsen Cheraghi, Mohsen Hamidi, and Mohammad Karimi' were killed. Islamic Republic officials attributed their deaths to a 'terrorist act.' According to claims made in this case, based on 'forced confessions' against each other, Saleh Mirhashimi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaqoubi were accused of 'drawing weapons,' and thus all three were charged with 'moharebeh' (waging war against God). These three detained protesters have denied the attributed charges in messages from prison, stating that they were forced to confess under torture. According to the verdict of the lower court, Saleh Mirhashimi was sentenced to two death penalties, while Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaqoubi were each sentenced to one death penalty and ten years of imprisonment. The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for each of them while rejecting their appeal. The issuance of these sentences has led to widespread protests both inside and outside Iran.