Saturday , 27 April 2024

Dozens were interrogated for attending funeral for executed Kurd prisoner

Iran-HRM – Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has arrested several prominent Kurdish figures for attending the funeral of political prisoner Haidar Ghorbani, who was recently executed in Sanandaj Prison.

funeral for executed Kurd prisoner Heidar Ghorbani

The Ministry of Intelligence also interrogated dozens of people in the western city of Kamyaran for the same reason.

According to the Hengaw Organization, which covers the news of the Kurdish regions of Iran, as of Thursday, more than 150 people had been summoned and interrogated by the intelligence agents.

The website also reported that Mullah Mirza Mohammad Rahmani, a prominent cleric who had criticized the execution of Heidar Ghorbani during the funeral, was arrested on Wednesday, January 1.

Amanj Ghorbani, a Kurdish environmental activist, was also arrested for attending the ceremony on Tuesday.

Hassan Ghorbani, the brother to the executed Kurd prisoner was also arrested on December 19 following his brother’s execution.

Heidar Ghorbani, a Kurdish prisoner, was executed in secret in Sanandaj Central Prison at dawn on 19 December. His execution took place without prior notice to his family and lawyer, and his body was secretly buried by prison authorities.

Locals in Kamyaran gathered outside the home of Heidar Ghorbani’s family to pay their condolences following his hasty, secret execution.

During the mourning ceremony for the Kurd political prisoner, locals chanted “martyrs don’t die” to protest his execution.

Heidar Ghorbani was arrested in October 2016, in connection with the killing of three men affiliated to the Basij paramilitary forces reportedly by individuals associated with an armed opposition group. Mr. Ghorbani denied membership of the group and any involvement in the killing. A Revolution Court concluded that he was unarmed, yet still sentenced him to death for “baghy” (armed rebellion) following an unfair trial and allegations that he was tortured.

On December 22, UN human rights experts condemned in the strongest terms the arbitrary execution of Iranian Kurdish prisoner Heidar Ghorbani as a serious violation of Iran’s obligations under international human rights law.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran executed Mr. Ghorbani in secret, on the basis of overbroad provisions, following a deeply flawed process, and while his case was still under consideration by the Supreme Court. In the context of continuing protests and widespread dissatisfaction with the authorities, we are concerned that such an arbitrary execution has been carried out to spread fear,” the experts stated.

“We deeply regret that, despite our multiple interventions on Mr. Ghorbani’s case, the authorities chose to proceed with his execution. This act is yet another sign of clear disregard for their obligations under international human rights law — and for international human rights mechanisms. We call on the Government to halt the imposition and execution of the death penalty.” the experts added.

The experts have previously raised concerns with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran about the death sentence, torture allegations, and fair-trial violations against Mr. Ghorbani, and also raised their concerns publicly. The Government sent comments in response.

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