Reimposition of Death Sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi; Judges are 'Father and Son'

Lawyers for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan prison in Rasht, announced the reissuance of a death sentence against this labor activist during the retrial phase. This death sentence had previously been overturned by the Supreme Court and her case was referred to an equivalent branch. The 'Campaign to Defend Sharifeh Mohammadi', managed by her family members, stated on Thursday, February 25, that Mohammad Ali Darvishgheytar, head of the second branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Rasht, who confirmed this sentence, is the son of Judge Ahmad Darvishgheytar of the first branch, who had issued the previous ruling. The campaign writes: 'The baseless accusation against Sharifeh is membership in Komala through membership in the Coordination Committee, while this committee is an independent labor organization and has no political affiliations.' The campaign described the issuance of death sentences against women activists as 'an example of war against women and revenge against labor and social activists.' On December 29, the Campaign to Defend Sharifeh Mohammadi reported on the formation of a hearing session for her case in the second branch of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, noting that despite lawyers' requests for Ms. Mohammadi's presence in court, part of the session was held online and she answered some questions from the judges. Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested in December 2023 and on July 14 of this year was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on charges of 'baghi' (rebellion) through membership in an opposition group. This accusation has been denied by her, her husband, her family, and the Komala Party. Members of the Coordination Committee for the Assistance of Labor Organizations have also denied any connection to this party. The accusation against Ms. Mohammadi at the time of her arrest was stated as 'activities against the regime.' The Campaign to Defend Sharifeh Mohammadi had previously reported on the torture she faced in the detention center of the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj. The issuance of the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi has been met with widespread global protests from labor unions, syndicates, and human rights organizations. Amnesty International criticized the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi in September, deeming her trial 'severely unjust' and emphasizing that her claims of torture and mistreatment were never investigated. This international human rights organization stated that the Revolutionary Court of Gilan sentenced Sharifeh Mohammadi 'solely in relation to her peaceful human rights activities,' identifying her as a labor rights activist, women's rights advocate, and opponent of the death penalty. Since the onset of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement in Iran, the Islamic Republic has intensified its repression and pressure against civil activists, especially women. The Iran Human Rights Organization reported on January 7 that in 2024, 31 women were executed in Iranian prisons. This number of executions of women has been unprecedented since the organization began recording execution statistics in 2008. Over 1,200 women activists, anti-death penalty activists, and political prisoners have issued a statement from 44 countries and international organizations demanding that the Islamic Republic end the execution of women in Iran. Dozens of organizations and civil activists stated that political prisoners in Iran 'die in silence.'