Continued Harassment of Majid Kazemi's Family; Pension Rights Cut for Father and Sister Fired from Job

Continuing the pressure on the families of victims, prisoners, and political activists by the Islamic Republic, the family of Majid Kazemi, one of the executed defendants in the 'Isfahan House' case, remains under harassment by security and state institutions. Mohammad Hashemi, Majid Kazemi's cousin, announced on Sunday, June 7, via a tweet that his father's 'pension rights' have been cut. He also wrote that Somayeh, Majid Kazemi's sister, was 'fired' from her job, and after a week, Majid Kazemi's brothers, Mehdi and Hossein, have still not been released. Majid Kazemi, along with Saleh Mirhashimi and Saeed Yaghoubi, was executed in Isfahan prison at dawn on the last Friday of Ordibehesht (May). The Islamic Republic accused these protesters in the 'Isfahan House' case of 'killing two Basij members and a police officer,' an accusation that the three young protesters denied, stating they were 'forced' to confess under torture. In a voice call from prison on January 13, 2023, Majid Kazemi had also said he was compelled to confess 'under torture.' According to Mohammad Hashemi, at the beginning of Majid Kazemi's detention, his brother Hossein was also arrested, and in front of him, 'Hossein was tortured' to confess against himself; however, Majid told the security agents, 'Whatever you say, I will confirm and sign, as long as you leave my brother alone.' The Islamic Republic has always tried to reduce the volume of protests by pressuring the families of victims, prisoners, or political activists, although these actions have not been effective for the Islamic Republic. The execution of protesters did not stop the protests; the violent arrest of Majid Kazemi's family members continues. Nazanin Boniadi, in support of the Amnesty International campaign, called for a halt to executions in Iran. A joint statement from 24 Iranian women's organizations stated that the Islamic Republic executes to 'stabilize the system of repression.' The continued pressure from the Islamic Republic on the families of victims; the arrest of relatives for seeking justice. Amnesty International called for 'immediate action' to stop executions in Iran. Political prisoners in the women's ward of Evin prison opposed the executions: 'Overthrow is closer to the Islamic Republic than the jugular vein.' A statement from 174 civil activists described executions as 'organized state murder.'