The European Union Sanctions 9 Iranian Judicial Officials and Institutions for 'State-Sponsored Kidnapping'

The European Union has imposed sanctions on seven judicial and security officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and two related institutions through a new regulation. European diplomats announced this on Monday, April 25, stating that the EU foreign ministers made this decision due to 'government-supported kidnapping' carried out by these individuals and institutions. The list of sanctioned individuals includes the director of Evin Prison in Tehran, several judges, and other judicial officials. Additionally, the main prison in Shiraz is among the sanctioned institutions. The related text states that this action was taken in response to the arbitrary detention of EU citizens and widespread human rights violations in Iran. The EU has termed these detentions as 'government-supported kidnapping' and has called for an end to this policy. The list of sanctioned individuals includes: Abbas Ali Houzan, a judge of Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, who has played a role in upholding sentences against political opponents, women protesting compulsory hijab, and religious minorities, especially Baha'is. Many of these sentences have been issued based on forced confessions and under torture. Hedayatollah Farzadi, the head of Evin Prison, who is known for restricting the rights of political prisoners, especially communications and visits, and for arbitrary solitary confinement. He is also accused of worsening the conditions of political prisoners. Mehdi Naimati, the head of the protection and intelligence of prisons in Fars Province, who plays a role in managing the central prison of Shiraz, a site of numerous executions, especially against ethnic and religious minorities, and the illegal detention of European citizens. Kamran Zareh, a judge of the Shiraz Court of Appeals, accused of issuing heavy sentences against political protesters and religious minorities, especially Baha'is. Seyyed Mahmoud Sadati, a judge of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, involved in issuing death sentences, forced confessions, and violating the rights to a fair trial against political activists and minorities. Ali Salehi, the public prosecutor of Tehran, who has participated in the prosecution of women opposing compulsory hijab, students, and protesters, as well as in issuing and executing death sentences and applying torture. Mohammad Khosrovani, a special prosecutor of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, accused of exerting pressure, arbitrary detention, and violating the rights of defendants during the crackdown on political opponents and minorities. Two institutions have also been sanctioned: the Central Prison of Shiraz (Adelabad), for systematic human rights violations, widespread executions, and the illegal detention of hostages from European countries. The First Branch of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, for issuing unjust sentences, executing opponents, and suppressing religious and ethnic minorities. The Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners in recent years. Diplomats say at least 20 European citizens are among these individuals. Western countries have long accused the Iranian government of kidnapping their citizens on charges of 'espionage' and 'acting against national security' with the aim of using them as bargaining chips for concessions. France, which still has two of its citizens detained in Iran and has described their conditions as akin to 'torture,' has recently made efforts to increase pressure on Iran. Jean-Noël Barot, the French Foreign Minister, stated in the French Parliament on April 2 that 'we will increase pressure on the Iranian regime for the release of French citizens.' The French Foreign Minister also mentioned that Paris would 'soon' file a complaint against Iran at the International Court of Justice due to the detention of two French citizens. He referred to Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were arrested in May 2022 for allegedly attempting to incite labor protests, stating that this complaint would be filed due to 'violations of the right to consular protection.' The UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment reported last year that countries such as the Islamic Republic, China, Russia, Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, and North Korea arbitrarily detain foreign nationals with the aim of using them as bargaining chips for financial or political concessions. Alice Jill Edwards, in her report, also mentioned at least 66 cases of 'government kidnapping' by Iran since 2010, emphasizing that journalists, aid workers, academics, business travelers, and human rights defenders are particularly targeted for government kidnapping in Iran.