Iran Human Rights Organization Calls for Cancellation of Death Sentences for 6 Political Prisoners

The Iran Human Rights Organization has called for the cancellation of death sentences for six political prisoners named Babak Alipour, Vahid Bani-Amirian, Pouya Ghobadi, Abolhasan Montazeri, Ali Akbar Daneshvar Kar, and Mohammad Taghavi. In a statement released on Thursday, February 11, the organization announced that these political prisoners were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran on charges of "baghi" (rebellion) and "supporting the People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran." According to the organization, relatives of some of these political prisoners reported their prolonged detention in solitary confinement and described "harsh interrogations and torture" they endured, stating that these prisoners were denied access to a lawyer during the investigation stages. The statement also referred to the imminent execution of Behrouz Eslami and Mahdi Hasani. The Iran Human Rights Organization strongly condemned the issuance of death sentences for these political prisoners and urged the international community and countries that have diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic to work towards the immediate cancellation of these sentences. Previously, Mahmoud Amiri-Moghadam, the director of this organization, stated: "In recent days, Iranian officials have linked the murders of judges Moqiseh and Razini to the People's Mujahedin Organization, preparing the ground for the execution of prisoners associated with this organization. Therefore, the risk of executing these prisoners is very serious." He added: "We call on the international community, human rights organizations, and the general public in Iran to raise the political cost of executions." Amnesty International also published an open letter on Monday, February 8, addressed to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling for the cancellation of the death sentences for the six political prisoners and their immediate release. In this letter, Amnesty International referred to the death sentences issued for Abdolhasan Montazeri, Akbar (Shahrokh) Daneshvar Kar, Babak Alipour, Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, Pouya Ghobadi, and Vahid Bani-Amirian by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran in the fall of this year on charges of "baghi," describing their detention as arbitrary and a violation of their right to a fair trial. Among those sentenced to death are 65-year-old Abolhasan Montazeri, 58-year-old Akbar (Shahrokh) Daneshvar Kar, 33-year-old Babak Alipour, 58-year-old Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, 31-year-old Pouya Ghobadi, and 32-year-old Vahid Bani-Amirian, all of whom face the charge of "baghi," which legally means armed rebellion or uprising against the government. "Membership in the People's Mujahedin Organization" is one of the accusations attributed to these prisoners. Additionally, human rights media reported the transfer of two political prisoners in Iran, Behrouz Eslami and Mahdi Hasani, to the death row section of Qazalhesar prison. According to some reports, these two death row prisoners were transferred on Thursday, February 11, from the secure section of Qazalhesar prison to "Hall 1, Section 10, Unit 3" of this prison, where prisoners "under execution" are held. Behrouz Eslami and Mahdi Hasani were previously transferred to the "secure section" on February 7, but the next day their lawyers announced that the execution of these two prisoners had been halted due to the acceptance of a retrial by the Supreme Court. These two political prisoners were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, in late September 1403. This sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court on January 18 without going through the appeals process. Behrouz Eslami Islamloo, a 70-year-old political prisoner, was arrested in November 1401 during widespread protests and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is related to the Ministry of Intelligence. Support from Iranians residing in Toronto for the "No to Execution" campaign; report by Behrang Rahbari. An update on the situation of Shahryar Bayat, a political prisoner sentenced to death in Evin, from his daughter's perspective. The mother of the victim, Pejman Fattahi, demanded the disclosure of his burial place on the anniversary of his execution. On the line - the beginning of the second year of the "No to Execution" campaign on Tuesdays. Saeed Masouri, a political prisoner: The government has thrown a "noose" around the people's necks. Rishi Moradi, a political prisoner sentenced to death: Society is resisting repression. Families of four executed political prisoners: We will continue to seek justice.