Letter from Reza Mohammadi from Prison: Executions Cannot Silence Voices

Reza Mohammadi, a political prisoner from Qazalhasar prison, sent a letter emphasizing that executions and imprisonment cannot silence the 'voice of freedom-seeking.' This political prisoner, who is serving a sentence of '14 years and six months,' stated in a letter received by Voice of America that the increase in the issuance or execution of death sentences by the Islamic Republic arises from 'the anger and hatred of the government, which sees itself powerless against the people's demand for freedom.' Mr. Mohammadi writes: 'We, the political prisoners, stand firm against all pressures, suppressions, and tortures to be the voice of the people who have not remained silent against this injustice.' He referred to death sentences for prisoners such as Pakhshan Azizi, Behrouz Ehsani, Mehdi Hasani, and four Sunni Baloch prisoners of conscience who have been transferred to Unit 2 of Qazalhasar prison, stating: 'Executions have neither the power to silence voices nor can they change the truth.' News sources reported on Wednesday, January 19, that the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic confirmed the death sentences of Pakhshan Azizi, Behrouz Ehsani Islamlu, and Mehdi Hasani, three political prisoners imprisoned in Evin prison. In his letter, Reza Mohammadi states: 'Anyone who remains indifferent to these crimes is, in a way, an accomplice to the perpetrators and instigators.' Currently, at least 54 'political and security' prisoners, including Varisheh Moradi, face death sentences with charges such as 'baghi, moharebeh, and ifsad fil-arz' in the prisons of the Islamic Republic. The increase in the issuance and execution of death sentences by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran has faced widespread global protests. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed serious concern on Tuesday, January 18, about the significant increase in executions in Iran over the past year. Reports indicate that at least 901 individuals were executed in 2024, with about 40 of them executed in just one week in December of the previous year. In 2023 (1402 in the Persian calendar), at least 853 individuals were executed.