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

Eshrat Rusta'i

About

Age: 50
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: September 13, 1979
Location of Killing: Malayer, Hamedan Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Shooting
Charges: Drug related offense

About this Case

The execution of Mr. Eshrat Rusta’i and three others was reported by the correspondents of the Enqelab Eslami and Kayhan dailies in Malayer (September 13, 1979).

Arrest and detention

Based on the reports, a group of 40 Police and Islamic Revolutionary Committee Guards were involved in arresting the defendant and eight other alleged smugglers.

Trial

Mr. Rusta’i’s trial, headed by a religious judge, was reportedly held in the presence of a large number of people at the amphitheatre of Dr. Shari’ati High School in Malayer. The session was held at night and, based on Kayhan, trial and deliberations took 5 hours.

Charges

Based on the Kayhan report, Mr. Rusta’i was "part of a drug trafficking band equipped for producing and distributing heroin."

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 the Islamic Republic’s authorities have brought trumped-up charges against their political opponents and executed them for 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. The exact number of people convicted based on trumped-up charges is unknown

Evidence of guilt

Based on the Kayhan report, the defendant and the other members of the band were found in possession of 14 kilograms and 625 grams of heroin, some arms and bullets, and some carbonate and heroin laboratory devices.

Defense

No information is available on the defense.

Judgment

The Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of Malayer sentenced Mr. Rusta’i to death. He was executed at dawn, shortly after the issuance of the verdict.

Correct/ Complete This Entry