Abdorrahman Boroumand Center

for Human Rights in Iran

https://www.iranrights.org
Omid, a memorial in defense of human rights in Iran
One Person’s Story

Mohammad Reza Sotudeh

About

Age: 39
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Non-Believer
Civil Status: Married

Case

Date of Killing: September 18, 1984
Location of Killing: Evin Prison, Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Shooting
Charges: Unknown charge

About this Case

Mr. Mohammad Reza Sotudeh is one of the 12028 individuals listed in an addendum to the Mojahed magazine (No 261), published by Mojahedin Khalq Organization in 1985. The list includes individuals, affiliated with various opposition groups, who were executed or killed during clashes with the Islamic Republic security forces from June 1981 to the publication date of the magazine.

The following information is based on an interview with relatives of Mr. Mohammad Reza Sotudeh.

Mr. Sotudeh was an active member of the Fadayian Khalq Organization. He was imprisoned twice during the previous regime. First time, 1970-1974, for his activities in the Student Confederation and the second time, in 1975, he was condemned to life in prison. During the revolution, in February 1979, he was released.

According to his relatives, he was determined not to be easily captured by the Islamic Republic agents. He would say: “We should not give up like timid sheep.” Thus, immediately after being arrested on Karaj freeway, he attempted to escape. Only after he was shot twice, was he caught and taken into custody.

The Fadaiyan Khalq Organization, a Marxist Leninist group inspired by the Cuban Revolution and the urban guerrilla movements of Latin America, was founded in 1971 by two communist groups opposed to the Pahlavi regime. Following the 1979 revolution, the Organization, which had renounced armed struggle, split over their support of the Islamic Republic and of the Soviet Union. The Fadaiyan Khalq Minority opposed the Islamic Republic and was active mainly in the political arena and the labor movement.

Arrest and detention

Mr. Sotudeh was arrested during a search and control operation by the police on Karaj freeway on July 19, 1983. He was detained in section 209 of the Evin prison. He was denied the right to have an attorney and had only one visit by his two brothers during his fourteen-month detention.

Trial

No information is available on the defendant’s trial.

Charges

No information is available on Mr. Sotudeh's charges.

Evidence of guilt

The report of this execution contains no evidence provided against the defendant.

Defense

No information is available on Mr. Sotudeh's defense.

Judgment

Mr. Sotudeh was executed in Evin prison on September 18, 1984. According to the interviewee, the night before his execution he spoke with his sister-in-law asking about the well being of his wife and children. When his sister-in-law was informed of the execution judgment, she cried. But, Mr. Sotudeh tried to calm her down.

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