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

Mir Aliakbar Mirkarimi

About

Age: 55
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Islam (Shi'a)
Civil Status: Married

Case

Date of Killing: July 1, 1980
Location of Killing: Ardebil, Ardebil Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Shooting
Charges: Murder; Corruption on earth

About this Case

He was a well-known, respected man in Ardebil and was known as a chivalrous man who helped others solve their problems.

News of the execution of Mr. Mir Ali Akbar Mirkarimi, along with another person, was published in the Jomhuri Eslami newspaper on July 2, 1980. The Abdorrahman Bouroumand Foundation (ABF) took additional information from an interview with a person close to him in the summer of 2015.

Mr. Mirkarimi was married with four children and a resident of Ardebil. He produced charcoal and had two bakeries and a boarding house. He was a well-known, respected man in the Alikuchsi neighborhood in Ardebil and was known as a chivalrous man who helped others solve their problems. In spite of the fact that he had a sharp tongue and was quick-tempered, he helped others, especially poor people. (ABF interview)

Mr. Mirkarimi was a member of the Religious Board of Trustees in his neighborhood. Before the revolution, he was detained for a short period because of a poem he composed against injustice and in support of the deprived. He was not a member of any political group but he was a sympathizer of the monarchy. (ABF interview)

Arrest and detention

Revolutionary agents arrested Mr. Mirkarimi with a warrant issued by the religious judge of Ardebil during his son’s wedding in July of 1980. His family had no news of him for the next few days. He was detained at a small prison in Tazeh Meidan in Ardebil. (ABF interview)

Trial

The Revolutionary Court of Ardebil tried Mr. Mirkarimi openly on June 29, 1980. According to the existing information, several dignitaries and elders of Ardebil were present during his trial. He had no attorney during the trial. (ABF interview)

Charges

Based on the Jomhuri Eslami newspaper report, Mr. Mirkarimi was charged with “murder in one case and involuntary manslaughter in another” as well as “collaboration with the idolatrous regime” and “corruption on earth.” According to the interviewee, he was charged with a murder during the ruling of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party in 1945-46.

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 existing information, several individuals testified against Mr. Mirkarimi during his trial claiming that he had influenced offices such as the courthouse during the Pahlavi regime and cooperated with the previous regime. According to the interviewee, these individuals had animosity toward and ongoing disputes with Mr. Mirkarimi.  (ABF interview)

Defense

No information is available on Mr. Mirkarimi’s defense. According to the interviewee, some clerics in Ardebil demanded that Mr. Mirkarimi declare his unfaithfulness toward the monarchy in court and not say anything against the revolution and authorities. He had rejected this request and spoken harshly against the judge. As a result, the court session was terminated prematurely. (ABF interview) 

Judgment

The court identified Mr. Mir Ali Akbar Mirkarimi as a Mofsed [corruptor on Earth] and condemned him to death. According to the Jomhuri Eslami newspaper, the ruling was carried out on the same day as his trial and he was executed by firing squad on July 1, 1980 at 9 p. m. However, according to the interviewee, the ruling was carried out the next day after the trial and without informing his family. Because his trial was incomplete and based on unofficial rumors, Mr. Mirkarimi’s family and acquaintances expected his release and were all shocked by the news of his execution. His body was given to his family for burial. (ABF interview)

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