Iran Human Rights Organization: 90 Prisoners in Zanjan 'Awaiting Execution'

The Iran Human Rights Organization, based in Geneva, announced that 90 prisoners in Zanjan Central Prison are 'awaiting execution' on various charges. According to the report, these 90 prisoners, whose death sentences have been confirmed by the Supreme Court, are held on charges related to 'drug offenses,' 'murder,' 'armed robbery,' and 'rape.' Zanjan Prison, located in the northwest of Zanjan city, houses approximately 2,500 inmates. The Islamic Republic has intensified the implementation of death sentences for prisoners convicted of drug-related offenses and murder, and has also escalated the issuance of death sentences for political prisoners and protesters, many of whom are at risk of execution; a situation that has sparked widespread domestic and international protests. Previously, 10 political prisoners held in Qazalhesar announced that they would go on hunger strike every Tuesday in a weekly protest titled 'Black Tuesdays' against the issuance and execution of death sentences by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic, an action that has been welcomed by a significant number of political prisoners in other prisons. According to a report from the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Associations on Tuesday, February 13, 10 labor and social organizations issued a statement inviting 'all freedom-seeking and equality-demanding political forces' to join the 'Tuesdays of Protest Against Executions.' The civil organizations that signed this statement called on 'all freedom-seeking and equality-demanding political forces, workers, teachers, retirees, and revolutionary youth to engage in a powerful and widespread struggle at both domestic and international levels to stop and abolish the death penalty.' The new wave of protests by political prisoners against executions began after the execution of Mohammad Qabdou, a young protester, with a joint action by political and ideological prisoners in the women's section of Evin Prison for a one-day hunger strike, and continued with the announcement of a weekly hunger strike by political prisoners in Qazalhesar. Among those at risk of execution are Mojahid Korkor, Reza Rasai, Fazel Bahramian, Mehran Bahramian, Mohammad Javad Vafaee Sani, Mansour Dahmarde, and Abbas Daris. Mohammad Moghimi and Sina Yousofi, two legal experts and attorneys, previously told Voice of America that this action by the Islamic Republic is 'aimed at intimidating society.' Iranians around the world held protests against the Islamic Republic. Death sentences were issued for four Baluch prisoners, and charges of 'rebellion' were brought against a Kurdish social worker. Mahdokht Damghanpour, the lawyer for Mohammad Qabdou, was summoned to the media prosecutor's office; Amir Reisiann stated that their invitation was for a debate. The U.S. expressed support for the Iranian people's struggle for a democratic future on the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution. Human rights media reported the issuance of a death sentence for Mawlavi Mohammad Khodrnejad, a Sunni cleric. Amnesty International warned of the risk of execution for Reza Rasai, a Kurdish Yarsan protester.