Mehran Bahramian and Fazel Bahramian, Detained Protesters in Semirum, Sentenced to Death

Human rights sources reported the issuance of death sentences for Mehran Bahramian and Fazel Bahramian, two detained protesters in the city of Semirum, Isfahan province. According to the Dadban Legal Consultation and Education Center, these two protesters were sentenced to death on charges of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God). The report states that Mehran Bahramian and Fazel Bahramian, who were arrested last December, were 'severely tortured' and that Mehran Bahramian's limbs were broken under torture. Fazel Bahramian's brother, Morad Bahramian, is counted among the casualties of the nationwide protests. Previously, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, HRANA, reported that Mehran Bahramian and Fazel Bahramian were deprived of access to a chosen lawyer and the right to visit their families. According to HRANA, Mehran Bahramian and Fazel Bahramian, along with Daryoush Saadi and Younes Bahramian, were arrested during the nationwide protests in December 2022. They were reportedly detained after participating in a memorial for several deceased protesters and in connection with the killing of a security force member named Mohsen Rezaei. The judiciary of the Islamic Republic continues to issue death sentences for protesters and political prisoners despite widespread domestic and international criticism. The Iranian judicial body has executed nine protesters, including Mohsen Shakari, Majidreza Rahnavard, Mohammad Mahdi Karami, Mohammad Hosseini, Saeed Yaqoubi, Saleh Mirhashimi, Majid Kazemi, Milad Zohrevand, and Mohammad Qabadi, and continues to execute political prisoners such as Farhad Salimi. Recently, human rights sources reported the confirmation of the death sentence for Youssef Ahmadi, a political prisoner from Baneh, by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court. The recent executions in Iran have faced a wave of criticism from human rights activists and international organizations. U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran suppresses to remain in power and that none of the aspects of the political system in the Islamic Republic of Iran are democratic or transparent. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed concern about the sharp increase in the use of the death penalty in Iran, including the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi, stating that the death penalty violates the right to life and calling for its 'immediate cessation' by the Islamic Republic. The wife of Pejman Fatahi, a Kurdish political prisoner sentenced to death, called for support from the public and the international community. Three prisoners were executed in Sabzevar and Shirvan on charges related to drug crimes and murder. More than 110 teachers' and workers' union activists went on hunger strike in opposition to executions in Iran. Three prisoners were executed in Shiraz on the eve of the visit of the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights to Iran.