Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.
RFL/RE – Iranian actor Hossein Mohammadi is among five protesters to have been handed death sentences over the death of a Basij militia member during unrest triggered by the death in custody of a young woman over an alleged head scarf violation.
The cases were decided after just three court hearings spread over six days. Mohammadi’s name was not among the defendants listed in the case at the beginning of the trial, but his friends told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda on December 20 that the actor was brought to court during the final session where he was sentenced to death.
Mohammadi’s friends and colleagues said he was arrested on November 5 at his home. That same night, he called his family and said that he would be released soon after “the misunderstanding is resolved.” The family only found out later that he had been sentenced to death on December 8.
While others sentenced in the case were shown on video on November 8 making “confessions” to playing a role in the death of Ruhollah Ajamian, a member of the Basij paramilitary force, Mohammadi was absent. Along with the five who received the death penalty, another 11 people, including three minors, have been given lengthy jail terms.
As news of Mohammadi’s sentence spread, groups representing actors and directors in Iranian theaters called for a suspension of his sentence.
A number of well-known actors and directors are said to be seeking a meeting with some high-ranking judicial officials regarding the case.
Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), said the international community, including film industry members and institutions, should loudly condemn the Islamic republic’s use of death sentences and arbitrary imprisonment as tools of political repression.
Mohammadi is among at least 11 men who have been sentenced to death in Iran without due process, according to CHRI. Another 25 face charges that could carry the death penalty.
Two men, Mohsen Shekari and Majidreza Rahnavard, have already been executed in connection with the protests.
Since the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody for an alleged violation of the country’s hijab law, more than 400 people have been killed in a subsequent police crackdown, according to rights groups.
Several thousand more have been arrested, including many protesters, as well as journalists, lawyers, activists, digital rights defenders, and others.
