Majid Kazemi's Cousin Tells VOA: They Also Banned the 'Fortieth' Ceremony

The cousin of Majid Kazemi, one of the three executed protesters in the 'Isfahan House' case, reported ongoing security pressures on the family in an interview with VOA. Mohammad Hashemi stated on Wednesday, July 7, that on Sunday, July 4, the Kazemi family was informed that they were not allowed to hold a fortieth ceremony for him, adding that each day of these 40 days felt like a year for the family. He mentioned that the Kazemi family is not even allowed to gather at home. The arrest of Mohsen Kazemi, Majid's brother, on the day of the execution, the raid on Majid Kazemi's home three days after the execution, the beating of Majid's mother and father, the violent arrest of Majid's two siblings, the burning of the grave of this executed protester on June 8, and the Islamic Republic's opposition to placing a gravestone on Majid Kazemi's grave are among the abuses and pressures that, according to Mohammad Hashemi, have been inflicted on his family by the Islamic Republic over the past forty days. According to Mohammad Hashemi, the regime's fear of public gatherings at the gravesite of these three executed protesters has created a security atmosphere at the burial site of Majid Kazemi, preventing anyone, even family members, from attending his fortieth ceremony. Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi were three protesters arrested on November 16, 2022, in the 'Isfahan House' case on charges of killing two members of the Basij and one special forces member, and were later sentenced to death on charges of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God). These protesters and their families have repeatedly denied these accusations, stating they were coerced into making televised confessions after severe torture. All three were executed early on Friday, May 19, 2023, in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.