Executions in Iran | Strikes Continue in Several Cities; People Visit Families of the Executed

The strike of merchants and shopkeepers in some cities of western and northwestern Iran is ongoing one day after the execution of four Kurdish political prisoners. The trades and market in the city of Semiram have also gone on strike in protest against the imminent execution of two protesting citizens. According to reports received by Voice of America and published on social media, strikes in protest against the execution of Pejman Fatahi, Mohsen Mazloom, Vafa Azarbar, and Mohammad Faramarzi, four Kurdish political prisoners, have so far been reported in the cities of Dehgolan, Mahabad, Saqqez, Baneh, Bukan, Divandereh, Marivan, Ravansar, Qorveh, Kermanshah, and Sanandaj. Reports published by the Hengaw website indicate that the atmosphere in these cities has been 'security-oriented' during these strikes. Published images show that after intelligence and judicial officials refused to hand over the bodies of the four executed youths to their families, people gathered in front of their homes to express their condolences. A number of citizens have gathered to participate in mourning ceremonies for Mohsen Mazloom alongside his family. A photo report also shows the widespread presence of people to console the family of Mohammad Faramarzi at the mourning ceremony for this executed political prisoner. Another photo report indicates a large crowd present to comfort the family of Pejman Fatahi. In a ceremony held by the family of Vafa Azarbar, a large crowd has also gathered to express their condolences. Additionally, the father of Mohammad Hasan Zadeh, one of the victims of last year's nationwide protests, met with the father of Vafa Azarbar and told him, 'We are proud that our child has made us proud.' A report from Dehgolan shows merchants and shopkeepers striking in protest against the execution of four Kurdish political prisoners. A video from Mahabad shows images of merchants and shopkeepers striking in protest against the execution of four Kurdish political prisoners. Images from Saqqez depict the strike of merchants and shopkeepers in protest against the execution of four Kurdish political prisoners. A video from Sanandaj shows the strike of merchants and shopkeepers in protest against the execution of four Kurdish political prisoners. Furthermore, a video released on X shows images of a general strike in the city of Semiram in Isfahan province, where trades have stopped working in protest against the death sentences issued for Mehran Bahramian and Fazl Bahramian, two protesting citizens. The wave of opposition to executions in Iran has intensified. Molavi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, emphasized in a message that 'the implementation of death sentences in the country has intensified, and the majority of its victims are the dear Kurdish and Baluch people.' In a message published on his account on X, Abdolhamid Ismailzahi stated, 'The maximum use of the death penalty is not compatible with heavenly teachings or human laws.' Additionally, a group of political prisoners in Gohardasht prison in Alborz province have announced that they will go on hunger strike on Tuesday in protest against the execution process, continuing their strikes weekly under the title 'Black Tuesdays.' Political prisoners in women’s ward in Evin have also announced that they will join the hunger strike of the ten prisoners in Gohardasht. The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Monday in response to the execution of political prisoners by the Islamic Republic, stating, 'We are aware of reports regarding the execution of these four men in Iran, which human rights activists consider to be fabricated trials.' Despite widespread international protests, judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic executed Pejman Fatahi, Mohammad Faramarzi, Vafa Azarbar, and Mohsen Mazloom, four Kurdish political prisoners in Gohardasht prison on Monday. These four were members of the Komala Party of Kurdistan who were arrested last year in Urmia and accused of 'spying for Israel,' an accusation that was strongly denied by the defendants themselves, and their lawyer protested the 'unfair trial process' regarding these accusations. Many lawyers and human rights organizations have deemed these executions as instances of 'state murder.' From the early hours of the announcement of the execution of these defendants, various Iranian and international figures and organizations reacted to it. Despite international warnings, the Islamic Republic executed four Kurdish political prisoners.