The accused of murdering Setayesh Ghareishi has been sentenced to 'two executions'

On Saturday, October 3, the Mizan news agency affiliated with Iran's judiciary reported that a 17-year-old boy accused of murdering Setayesh Ghareishi, a six-year-old Afghan girl, in April of this year, has been sentenced to two executions. According to Mizan's report, the hearing for the murder case of Setayesh Ghareishi was held on September 24 in a non-public session, and the murderer was sentenced to 'one execution and one qisas (retribution) for murder' due to 'committing intentional murder and rape'. ISNA news agency also confirmed the sentencing of the accused to two executions, quoting Asghar Qasemi Aqbash, the lawyer for Setayesh Ghareishi's family. The lawyer added that 'payment of blood money and compensation for the loss of virginity, as well as the crime against the corpse, are other sentences for the murderer of Setayesh.' Meanwhile, Mojtaba Farahbakhsh, the defense attorney for the accused, expressed ignorance about the ruling in an interview with Fars news agency, stating that 'nothing has been communicated to us yet.' Death sentences issued in Iranian courts can be appealed in the Supreme Court, and Mizan's report reminded that this ruling is also subject to appeal in the Supreme Court. In the last court session held on September 24, the accused defended himself against the charges of 'intentional murder, immoral acts, and crime against the corpse,' and after the court session ended, it was announced that the victim's family had requested retribution against the accused. Reports indicate that the 17-year-old boy attempted to destroy Setayesh Ghareishi's body with acid after abducting and murdering her, a fact revealed by a friend of the boy who was asked for help in disposing of the body. The murder of Setayesh Ghareishi, a six-year-old Afghan girl by a 17-year-old Iranian neighbor in Varamin, Tehran province, has had significant repercussions and deeply affected the Persian-speaking social media in Iran and Afghanistan. On Tuesday, April 30, the police prevented a gathering in front of the Afghan embassy to light candles and express condolences to the family of Setayesh Ghareishi, detaining several demonstrators, including some Afghans, in a park near the embassy. The Afghan Youth Civil Society Association warned the Iranian government that if the murderer of Setayesh Ghareishi is not executed soon, they will close the Iranian embassy in Kabul with their civil movements. In contrast, human rights organizations oppose the implementation of the death penalty in Iran, especially for individuals under 18 years old. In this context, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, also expressed concern on Tuesday, September 23, about the number of executions in Iran and the ongoing trend of executing offenders under 18 years old.