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

Rasul Chatra'i

About

Age: 25
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: April 7, 2002
Location of Killing: Artesh Square, Esfahan, Esfahan Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Murder; Disrupting public order; Armed robbery

About this Case

News of the execution of Mr. Rasul Chatra’i, son of Abbas, was published in the Kayhan newspaper on April 8, 2002, and in Ettela’at and Iran newspapers on April 11, 2002. Additional information regarding his arrest and prosecution was published on the Jamejam website on January 22, 2002, and in the Kayhan newspaper on April 6, 2002.

Mr. Chatra’i was the leader of a 14-member gang that had committed piracy, armed robbery, and murder of drivers on roads around Esfahan.          

Arrest and Detention

There is no specific information on Mr. Chatra’i’s arrest and detention.

Trial

Branch 36 of the Public Court in Esfahan tried Mr. Chatra’i and the other members of his gang. (Jamejam website)

Charges

According to the existing information, the charges against Mr. Chatra’i were announced as "participation in six armed robberies and committing two murders."        

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

The evidence presented against Mr. Chatra’i was “having a record for sedition, extortion, and harassment of the public honor,” in addition to “his confession during the interrogation.”  

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

During his trial, Mr. Chatra’i denied the murder charge of two individuals and claimed that the second row defendant was responsible. However, this defendant rejected Mr. Chatra’i’s claim. (Jamejam website)     

Judgment

Branch 36 of the Public Court in Esfahan condemned Mr. Chatra’i, the first row defendant, to death (two counts), 15 years imprisonment, 74 lashes, and paying Dieh (blood money) to the victims. The Head of Judiciary confirmed the ruling. He was hanged in public at the Artesh (Army) Square in Esfahan on April 7, 2002. A victim’s mother carried out the ruling. No information is available about his lash ruling being carried out before his execution. 

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