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

Gazav Mahmudzehi

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Unknown
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: September 5, 2007
Location of Killing: Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug possession; Possession of arms

About this Case

News of the execution of Mr. Gazav Mahmudzehi, along with three others, was published on the websites of IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency), ISNA (Iranian Students News Agency) on September 4 and 5, 2007, Fars News Agency on September 5, and the Khabare-Jonub newspaper on September 6, 2007.

Arrest and Detention

According to the Khabare-Jonub newspaper, police were able to arrest four leaders of a narcotics gang in Sa’adatshahr. According to the Deputy Public Prosecutor of Shiraz, “these individuals were arrested during an armed clash with the agents in Noruz (on March 21) of 2005.”  

Trial

No information is available on the defendant’s trial. This trial took place in Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz.

Charges

The charges against Mr. Gazav Mahmudzehi were announced as "sedition, possession and transportation of narcotics and weapons, and an armed clash with officials."      

The validity of the criminal charges brought against this defendant cannot be ascertained in the absence of the basic guarantees of a fair trial.  International human rights organizations have drawn attention to reports indicating that Islamic Republic authorities have brought trumped-up charges against their political opponents and executed them for alleged drug trafficking, sexual, and other criminal offences. Thousands of alleged drug traffickers have been sentenced to death following judicial processes that fail to meet international standards. Scores of them were executed based on a 1989 law imposing mandatory death sentences on drug traffickers found in possession of specified amounts of proscribed narcotics (5 kg of hashish or opium, and more than 30 grams of heroin, codeine or methadone). The exact number of people convicted based on trumped-up charges is unknown.

Evidence of Guilt

According to the Khabare-Jonub newspaper, “after the inspection of the defendants’ vehicle, 462 kilograms of opium, one kilogram of morphine, one weapon, and several Kalashnikovs were recovered.” 

Defense

No information is available on the defendant's defense.

Judgment

The court condemned Mr. Gazav Mahmudzehi to death and the ruling was confirmed by the Supreme Court. He was hanged at Darvazeh Sa’di in Shiraz.

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