Iran Human Rights Organization Warns of Execution of Right Hand Finger Amputation for 4 Prisoners

On Friday, July 8, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported that four prisoners named Mehdi Sharifian, Kasra Karami, Hadi Rostami, and Mehdi Shahivand, who have been sentenced to amputation of their right fingers for theft, are at imminent risk of execution of their sentences in Urmia Central Prison. The organization warned of the execution of these prisoners' sentences in the days following the Islamic Republic's presidential election. Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, the director of the Iran Human Rights Organization, stated: 'The officials of the Islamic Republic usually resume their display of terror immediately after a relative decrease in the execution of death sentences, which is aimed at encouraging people to participate in the sham elections. Therefore, the risk of executing amputation and death sentences in the coming days and weeks is very serious.' He emphasized that 'the people and the international community can raise the cost of executing these sentences for the Islamic Republic through appropriate protests and reactions.' An informed source regarding the status of these four prisoners told the Iran Human Rights Organization: 'Recently, the head of the judiciary in West Azerbaijan and the prosecutor of Urmia met with them and informed them that your sentence will be executed, and any appeal requests will be rejected.' He noted: 'These four prisoners had previously requested clemency, but the provincial judiciary rejected their requests and said to wait, your sentences will be executed.' This source emphasized, 'In the coming days, it is likely that the sentences of these four prisoners will be carried out.' Mehdi Sharifian, Kasra Karami, Hadi Rostami, and Mehdi Shahivand were transferred to Greater Tehran Prison last December for the execution of their sentences but were returned to Urmia Prison for unknown reasons. The Iran Human Rights Organization warned on June 12, 2022, that seven prisoners in Greater Tehran Prison were at imminent risk of execution of the inhumane sentence of hand amputation. The organization's website stated that since the judiciary is a non-transparent institution, the exact statistics of those sentenced to hand amputation across Iran are unclear, and it is believed that dozens of individuals in Iran are at risk of this inhumane sentence. The Iran Human Rights Organization emphasized that punishments such as amputation and flogging are cruel, inhumane, and constitute torture, which is prohibited under international human rights standards. The Iran Human Rights Organization: The sentence of hand amputation for a prisoner accused of 'stealing five sheep' was carried out. Suicide in Iranian prisons; the death of a prisoner sentenced to amputation and the transfer of Vahid Chavaran to the hospital. The UN Human Rights Committee meeting on Iran; the Islamic Republic delegation defended 'amputation.'