The Execution Machine in the Islamic Republic Continues; At Least 7 More Citizens Executed

News sources reported the execution of seven citizens in Iranian prisons, including at least two Baluch prisoners, in the early hours of today, January 1, 2024, in Birjand prison. The 'Hal Vash' website confirmed the identities of two of those executed, identifying them as two of the six prisoners executed in Birjand as Baluch citizens. As of the time of this report, the identities of four other prisoners remain unknown. 'Emanullah Barahoui' (Safarzahi), approximately 50 years old, married with nine children, from Dayaabad, Zahedan, and 'Shir Ahmad Senjarani', 34 years old, married with seven children, from Zahedan, are two of the identified executed prisoners. The 'Hrana' website also reported the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death for drug-related charges in Adel Abad prison in Shiraz. Noor Ahmad Qalandarzehi, 33 years old, married, father of two children, from Zahedan and residing in Iranshahr, has been identified as this prisoner. Human rights sources have reported that at least the identified executed prisoners were executed without meeting their families. According to these sources, the charges against these prisoners were related to drug offenses. The United Nations and its High Commissioner for Human Rights have repeatedly stated that drug-related crimes cannot be considered 'very serious crimes' under UN standards and should not carry the death penalty. The 'Hal Vash' report emphasized that from April 28, 2023, to today, January 1, 2024, at least 144 Baluch prisoners, including five female prisoners, have been executed. The execution of prisoners in Iran for various crimes has intensified in recent months, drawing significant domestic and international criticism. The recent execution of four prisoners on unproven charges of 'espionage for Israel' prompted a reaction from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. On Friday, January 8, the UN Human Rights Office announced on social media platform 'X' that Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the execution of three men and one woman in Iran without a fair trial regarding alleged 'espionage' charges as tragic. According to the Human Rights Office, Volker Turk called for an 'immediate halt' to further executions and an 'official end to the implementation of death sentences' in Iran. On January 6, following reports about the confirmation of death sentences for Mojahid Korkor and Reza Rasayi in the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic, a human rights organization called for global action to stop the execution of protesters in Iran. The 'Hrana' website, the news organ of human rights activists in Iran, reported that in 2023, 155 people were sentenced to death and 746 executions were recorded. It was also stated that among the identified executed individuals, 597 were men and 20 were women. Among the executed, there were also two individuals who were under 18 years old at the time of the alleged crime, legally referred to as child-offenders. The Iran Human Rights Organization reported that two Afghan nationals were executed in Karaj Central Prison. The UN's reaction to executions in Iran: it is tragic and must be stopped immediately. The Islamic Republic executed four individuals on charges of 'intelligence cooperation' with Israel. Hengaw reported that three Kurdish prisoners accused of 'espionage for Israel' were executed in Urmia Central Prison. Human rights organizations warned that five individuals accused of 'espionage for Israel' are at imminent risk of execution.