Human rights

(HRW) – The opening of a landmark trial in Sweden on August 10, 2021 of an Iranian citizen accused of participating in the mass execution of political prisoners is an important moment for victims long denied recognition and justice. On July 27, Swedish prosecutors announced their decision to prosecute an Iranian citizen for “committing grave war crimes and murder in Iran during 1988.” Prosecutors did not reveal the …

Iran-HRM – Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Yousef Mehrad, allegedly for insulting the Prophet of Islam. The Revolutionary Court of Arak also upheld 8 years for Mr. Mehrad for another part of his case. Mohammad Arman, Mr. Mehrad’s lawyer said the ruling was unfair and the Iranian Judiciary needed to exonerate his client. Arman, the Judiciary-appointed lawyer …

Iran-HRM – A man was killed and over 40 locals were injured when security forces used pellet shots to disperse protesters in the northwest city of Naqadeh on August 7. According to Kurdish human rights websites, the man killed was identified as 27-year-old Mohammad Alizadeh. Protests started after locals had gathered outside the Police Station Number 11 building to demand …

Iran-HRM – Iran has stepped up executions of prisoners including those convicted of drug related charges after Raisi’s presidential inauguration. At least 22 prisoners have been executed in August, bringing the total number of those executed in 2021 to at least 210. Seven of those executed in August were charged with murder while the other 15 were executed on drug …

RFL/RE – A former Iranian prosecutor accused of involvement in the 1988 execution of thousands of political dissidents has gone on trial in Sweden on August 10 in a landmark case likely to stoke tensions in the Islamic republic. Hamid Nouri, 60, appeared in Stockholm District Court on August 10 charged with “intentionally taking the life of a very large …

Iranwire – On New Year’s Eve, 2020, Jamshid Sharmahd became a grandfather. The 66-year-old software engineer hasn’t yet had a chance to meet his baby granddaughter, Kiana. He’s not been able to see her face, count her fingers and toes, or even congratulate her mother and his eldest child, Gazelle. Instead, the news was broken to him by telephone on …

Iran Human Rights (IHR) – Majid Golebacheh who was sentenced to death on drug-related charges, has been executed in Birjand Prison. At least 65 prisoners, including a woman, have been executed on drug-related charges in Iranian prisons in 2021. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, at least one prisoner was executed in Birjand Prison on the morning of …

Iran Human Rights (IHR) – A Baluch prisoner named Zabiollah Hormozi who was sentenced to death on drug-related charges has been executed in Mashhad Central Prison. At least 64 people have now been executed on drug charges in 2021. According to the Baluch Activists Campaign, a Baluch men were executed on drug charges in Mashhad Central Prison today. His identity …

Iran Human Rights (IHR) – Ebrahim Ghanbarzehi and Nabi Notizehi, two Baluch men sentenced to death on drug-related charges were executed in Kerman Central Prison. At least 63 prisoners, including a woman, have been executed on drug-related charges in Iranian prisons in 2021. According to the Baluch Activists Campaign, two Baluch men were executed on drug charges in Kerman Central …

Al-Monitor – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday told French President Emmanuel Macron that Iran’s rights must be upheld as part of the nuclear negotiations with the West, Raisi’s office said of his first call with a Western leader.   According to an Iranian readout of the call, Raisi said that both the United States and the Europeans must meet their commitments under the …