Iran's Execution Spree Continues Amid Crackdown on Activists and Lawyers

Strategic Insights -

The Iranian authorities have released videos of three protesters confessing to the killing of three security officers in the so-called Isfahan House case, amid a recent spate of executions in the country. More than 60 people have been executed in Iran since late April, with some for drug offences and many from the region of Balochistan, where the protests have been most intense. The executions and the harassment of human rights lawyers and activists come as Iran prepares to head the social forum of the UN Human Rights Council.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 60 people have been executed in Iran since late April, with some for drug offences and many from the region of Balochistan.
  • The three defendants in the Isfahan House case, Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaqoubi and Saleh Mirhashemi, have been found guilty of warfare, a more serious offence than murder, despite their family claiming they are innocent.
  • The only evidence against them is torture-induced confessions, and lengthy police radio recordings do not appear to back up the prosecution claims.
  • The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, has called on the authorities in Iran to "halt all executions" and "abolish the death penalty".
  • Since 1 January 2023, at least 209 people have been executed in Iran, making it "one of the world's highest executors", with more than 10 people being put to death each week.
  • The number of executions includes a disproportionately high number of minorities, and Iran has a history of targeting minority groups.
  • Iran has executed a Swedish-Iranian man, Habib Chaab, for his role in a deadly attack on an Iranian military parade in Ahvaz in 2018, and has upheld the death sentence of a German-Iranian national, Jamshid Sharmahd.
  • Iran has also released two Western nationals, a 64-year-old French-Irish citizen and a French national, after international pressure.

Statistics:

  • Over 60 people have been executed in Iran since late April.
  • At least 209 people have been executed in Iran since 1 January 2023.
  • More than 10 people are being put to death each week in Iran.
  • Iran has a history of targeting minority groups in its executions.

Sources:

  • Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor, (online source not specified)
  • Sharq newspaper (online source not specified)
  • UN human rights chief, Volker Türk
  • Center for Human Rights in Iran, Hadi Ghaemi
  • Iranian foreign ministry
  • US State Department