Execution in the Central Prison of Qom; 14 others await their verdicts

Iran-HRM – Execution in the Central Prison of Qom; 14 others await their verdicts

An inmate was executed on Thursday morning, December 17, 2020, in the Central Prison of Qom.

The executed prisoner was Shahab Javid. He had been arrested and detained ten years ago in 2010 on the charge of kidnapping and rape. He was sentenced to death on these charges.

He had been taken to the gallows three times during the past years, but every time returned to the ward. In this way, prison authorities tortured him.

Reports indicate that the complainants against Shahab Javid had withdrawn their complaints, nevertheless his death sentence was carried out.

Judiciary officials had put this prisoner under pressure to repent, but he insisted that he was innocent.

Hassan Gharib, the Prosecutor of Qom, has ordered the implementation of the death sentences for 15 death row prisoners accused of clashing with state forces and of kidnapping.

Shahab Javid was the first among the 15 whose verdict was carried out on Thursday morning, December 17.

Every year, hundreds of death sentences are carried out in Iran. Iranian officials never heed the repeated requests by international human rights bodies to stop the death penalty in Iran. Many Iranian officials believe that the death penalty is effective in controlling crime in society and is compatible with religious and divine laws.

Amnesty International reported that the Iranian regime was among the countries with largest number of executions in 2019.