Human Rights Activists in Iran: Judiciary Issued 35 Death Sentences in One Month

The Human Rights Activists in Iran reports that the judiciary of the Islamic Republic has broken the record for issuing death sentences in the past year, with 35 death sentences in the first month of the new Gregorian year, and has executed 86 individuals in the same month. On Thursday, February 8, the HRANA news agency announced that an examination of the issuance and execution of death sentences from January 2023 to January 2024 shows that the number of executions carried out has consistently exceeded the number of new death sentences issued. The recent intensification of death sentences and executions in Iran has sparked significant reactions. In this context, the European Parliament on Thursday called for the immediate release of all death row inmates and political prisoners in Iran. Previously, Abram Paley, the deputy special representative of the United States for Iran, condemned the Iranian government's use of the death penalty on January 14, a day after the execution of 13 Iranian citizens by the Islamic Republic. The Human Rights Activists in Iran also published a report on October 9, coinciding with October 10, "World Day Against the Death Penalty," to draw public attention to the situation of "thousands who are currently awaiting their execution." According to this report, at least "659 individuals" have been executed by hanging in various regions of Iran during this period, which represents an increase of about 24% compared to the same period last year. Furthermore, the Hengaw human rights organization reported that the Islamic Republic arrested at least 2,342 citizens and sent at least 823 prisoners to execution squads over the past year. The mother of Mohsen Malzoom, an executed prisoner, is requesting at least the return of her son's body. Interviews with Joanna Timisi, the wife of Mohsen Malzoom, and Maria Mahmoudi, the wife of Mohammad Faramarzi, two executed prisoners, have also been conducted. The report highlights the suicide of a death row inmate in Tabriz prison, monthly reports from Hengaw regarding women's rights violations in Iran, and the support of over 430 political and civil activists for the "No to Execution" campaign. The Iranian Human Rights Organization has warned about the imminent execution of three imprisoned protesters.