Execution of Two Individuals in Public in Khomein

The execution of two citizens was carried out on Sunday, October 1, in front of the people of Khomein, which the prosecutor of this city referred to as a public execution for the charge of 'Moharebeh' (waging war against God). According to state media reports, Ebrahim Ghamizi, the prosecutor of Khomein, stated that these defendants had been imprisoned since 2021 for 'armed robbery.' Based on the details of the case, the killing of a police officer named 'Second Lieutenant Morteza Barati' during a chase and shooting by these robbers was the main reason for the 'Moharebeh' verdict and their public execution. The judicial official of the Islamic Republic explained that on December 15, 2020, armed robbers fled the scene during a confrontation with the police. He stated, 'During the chase, the robbers shot at the officers, killing Second Lieutenant Morteza Barati. After investigations, the defendants were identified and arrested in other provinces.' Ghamizi added that the defendants had a history of theft, and their indictment was issued for 'Moharebeh and corruption on earth.' According to this judicial official, ultimately, the court sentenced two of the defendants to death, and the verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court, with the executions carried out on October 1 in public. Human rights organizations have repeatedly questioned the judicial process in the Islamic Republic's judiciary, stating that in many cases, especially those leading to death sentences, confessions are obtained under duress and through torture. It is noteworthy that in the public execution process, the general public may voluntarily participate, including the presence of young children. Public executions are a subject that has always been criticized by human rights organizations and the United Nations, which has continuously called on the Iranian government to change and cease this approach both in laws and in practice. Psychologists believe that public executions can lead to increased aggression in society and normalize the death penalty. Analysts believe that this action strengthens the spirit of vengeance, cruelty, and a tendency towards crime. In recent years, the Islamic Republic has attempted to use the issuance and execution of death sentences as a deterrent tool to suppress social protests and create fear to prevent any form of dissent.