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

Mahmud V.

About

Age: 26
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Single

Case

Date of Killing: January 4, 2015
Location of Killing: Mashhad, Khorasan\Khorasan-e Razavi Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Rape

About this Case

News of the execution of Mr. Mahmud V., along with two others, was published on the website of the Young Journalists Club on January 4, 2015, and in the Khorasan and Iran newspapers on January 5, 2015. News of his arrest was also published in the Khorasan newspaper on March 4, 2012.

According to the existing information, Mr. Mahmud V., 26, was a loader driver. He was single and had five-grade education.

According to the Police Commander in Binalud, Mr. Mahmud V., along with his brother and a friend, attacked young men and women on the road to Bam-e Mashhad Hotel on four occasions. By threatening and using force, they took their victims in a car to an Arghavan Mountains area and raped them. (Iran newspaper)   

Arrest and detention

According to the Police Commander of the Khorasan-e Razavi, Torqabeh and Shandiz security forces arrested Mr. Mahmud V. and his two collaborators on March 3, 2012. They were transferred to the Intelligence Police Office for interrogation and further investigation. According to the Police Commander in Binalud during the execution ceremony, the Intelligence Police detectives in Binalud began their investigation to arrest Mr. Mahmud V. and his collaborators when several people filed complaints against them.   (Iran newspaper)

Trial

Branch Five of the Criminal Court of Khorasan-e Razavi tried Mr. Mahmud V. in several sessions. However, no information is available on this trial. (The Khorasan newspaper)

Charges

According to the Public Prosecutor of Binalud, the charge against Mr. Mahmud V. was “four counts rape.”

The validity of the criminal charges brought against this defendant cannot be ascertained in the absence of the basic guarantees of a fair trial.  

Evidence of guilt

According to the Iran newspaper, quoting the Police Commander in Binalud and the Police Commander of the Khorasan-e Razavi, the evidence provided against Mr. Mahmud V. was “several reports of rape by women and complaints by victims,” in addition to “confession made by the defendant regarding terrible and shocking actions,” according to the Khorasan newspaper.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its systematic use of severe torture and solitary confinement to obtain confessions from detainees and have questioned the authenticity of confessions obtained under duress.   

Defense

Mr. Mahmud V. had an attorney; however, no information is available on his defense. During his execution ceremony, he expressed regret. (Iran newspaper)

Judgment

Branch Five of the Criminal Court of Khorasan-e Razavi condemned Mr. Mahmud V. to death and Branch 31 of the Supreme Court confirmed the ruling. It was carried out in the presence of the Public Prosecutor and the Police Commander of Binalud and hundreds of people in Torqabeh. He was hanged in public in front of the Torqabeh Fire Station on January 4, 2015. 

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