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

Morteza Gazorani

About

Age: 27
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Non-Believer
Civil Status: Single

Case

Date of Killing: 1985
Location of Killing: Evin Prison, Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Shooting

About this Case

The information about Mr. Morteza Gazorani is taken from the book Our Martyrs for Freedom and Socialism by Rah-e Kargar Publications. He was born in Arak and a student at Tehran University majoring in Science. After the revolution, he joined the Revolutionary Workers Organization of Iran, Rah-e Kargar. He helped the organization by selling its publications and providing financial support. After June 20, 1981, he was transferred to Tehran and continued his political activities in working class areas.

"Rah-e Kargar" or the "Revolutionary Workers Organization of Iran" was established in the summer of 1979. The Organization was founded by individuals from various leftist groups who rejected the idea of armed struggle and believed in political action. They identified themselves as Marxist-Leninists, promoting a socialist revolution and the leadership of the proletariat. They differed with the pro-Soviet communist party, Tudeh, in that they opposed the Islamic Republic and Ayatollah Khomeini's leadership.

The demonstration of June 20, 1981, took place in protest against the parliament's impeachment of President Banisadr and the Islamic Republic's systematic policy of excluding the Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) from participating in politics, the refusal of Ayatollah Khomeini to meet with MKO leaders and his insistence that they disarm. Until that day, the MKO had supported the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini and agreed to function within the framework of the new political system. On June 20, the Organization officially changed its policy and tried to overthrow the regime by organizing mass demonstrations all over the country. These demonstrations, which were severely suppressed and resulted in the killing of dozens of demonstrators, were followed by a wave of mass arrests and executions by the Revolutionary Guards and other para-military forces that targeted all opposition groups. The massive repression, unprecedented in the history of the Islamic Republic, legitimized the months-old state harassment and suppression of dissidents and resulted in the banning of all forms of independent political dissent.

Arrest and detention

The details of this defendant’s arrest and detention are unknown. According to the above book, Mr. Morteza Gazorani was arrested in 1985 and transferred to Evin Prison.

Trial

No information is available on the defendant’s trial.

Charges

No information is available on Mr. Morteza Gazorani’s charges.

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 report of this execution contains no evidence provided against the defendant.

Defense

No information is available about his defense.

Judgment

No specific information is available about the death sentence. According to the above source, Mr. Morteza Gazorani was executed by a firing squad at Evin Prison in 1985.

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