The Second Eye of an Acid Attack Suspect in Iran is Set to be Retributed

Reports indicate that a suspect in an acid attack in Iran is set to be punished next week, with his second eye also being blinded with acid. Mojtaba Sahli, 31, is accused of attacking a taxi driver in Qom with acid in 2009, resulting in the victim being blinded in both eyes. The judges of the Qom Criminal Court had sentenced him to retribution for his eye in 2010. His left eye was retributed on March 3, 2015, and the right eye is scheduled to be punished next week with acid in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. The website 'Jam Jam Online' reported at that time that the suspect was given a deadline to pay blood money and treatment costs to the acid attack victim to prevent the execution of the retribution for the other eye. The victim of the acid attack stated after the incident: 'On August 3, 2009, I was working as a taxi driver when two motorcyclists threw acid on me. Due to disputes with my wife, I suspect she may have played a role in this incident.' According to Iranian media, Mojtaba Sahli, the main perpetrator of this incident, said during investigations after his arrest: 'I was hired by two women for this acid attack. On the day of the incident, I followed him with my friend and after the acid attack, we fled the scene on a motorcycle.' Amnesty International stated in a statement after the blinding of the suspect's left eye that Mojtaba Sahli was also sentenced to pay blood money and serve 10 years in prison in addition to the retribution of both eyes. This human rights organization described the retribution punishment in Iran's Islamic Penal Code as an example of a 'cruel judicial system.' Raha Bahraini, an Iran researcher at Amnesty International, stated: 'Punishing individuals by deliberately blinding them is a horrific and shocking act of cruelty.' She added: 'This type of punishment reflects the complete brutality of the Iranian judicial system and shows the shocking disrespect of Iranian officials for basic human rights.' Ms. Bahraini emphasized: 'The imposition of cruel and inhuman punishments does not mean the execution of justice. Blinding, like stoning, amputation, and flogging, is a form of physical punishment that is prohibited under international law. Such punishments should never be applied under any circumstances.' This Amnesty International researcher stated: 'On the eve of the UN Human Rights Council meeting, Iranian officials have planned the execution of Saman Nasim, a minor accused, executed six Sunni men after unfair trials, and now have put this horrific punishment on their agenda.' Amnesty International has called on Iranian officials to immediately stop such cruel punishments and only pursue punishments in accordance with international laws. They should also implement public educational campaigns aimed at preventing violent acts such as acid attacks and ensure that victims of such attacks have access to effective care, including medical and psychological services.