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

Mehdi Ahmadi

About

Age: 20
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: September 12, 2001
Location of Killing: Shemiranat, Tehran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Corruption on earth

About this Case

News of the conviction and execution of Mr. Mehdi Ahmadi was published in the Iran newspaper on June 5, and September 12, 2001, and in the Ettela’at newspaper on January 13, 24, and 29, and February 21, 2001.    

Arrest and Detention

According to the media reports, on December 28, 2000, two armed robbers attacked a house in Suhanak, Shemiran, and shot to death two members of a family injuring three others. Security agents investigated the incident and identified all who frequented the house. They were able to identify and arrest those who planned and executed the attack.

According to the Ettela’at newspaper on January 13, 2001, officials suspected a man named Mojtaba who often visited the house. He had a record and his brother, Mohammadreza, had not gone home since the incident. He was identified and arrested. He told officials that he knew the victim’s family and their wealth. He planned the robbery two months earlier and asked his friends, Mehdi and Rahi, to carry it out. He then described their appearance and hiding place in Shemiran-No. Two brothers, Mehdi and Rahi Ahmadi were arrested.

According to the Ettela’at newspaper published on February 21, 2001, these two brothers attempted to escape from the prison yard on February 20. However, prison guards shot and injured them.

Trial

Branch 1601 of the Criminal Court tried Mr. Mehdi Ahmadi and four other defendants in this case on January 23, 2001. The Supreme Court rejected the ruling and referred the case to another equivalent branch.     

Charges

The charges against Mr. Ahmadi were announced as "Mohareb (fighter against God) and Mofsed (corruptor on Earth)” for participation in armed robbery. According to the Ettela’at newspaper published on January 13, 2001, Mr. Ahmadi and his brother, Rahi, had attempted once before to rob the house but fled without success. They returned to the house on December 28, 2000 in the evening and when the family members noticed their presence, they shot them, resulting in the murder of two and injuries to three family members, before escaping the scene.      

Evidence of Guilt

According to the Ettela’at newspaper, quoting the Chief of Shemiranat Intelligence Police, the evidence provided against Mr. Ahmadi was “purchasing a weapon for 100 thousand Tomans, recovery of an oiled Kalashnikov, a lock cutter, two hats and masks, 26 bullets, and a pair of gloves.” Regarding the confessions of the defendants, the Chief of Shemiranat Intelligence Police stated, “These two offenders told officials that they had planned armed robberies of three gold stores and two houses, and the mastermind was named Mojtaba.”   

Defense

No information is available on Mr. Ahmadi’s defense. According to the Ettela’at newspaper, quoting the Chief of Shemiranat Intelligence Police, “These offenders claimed that their only motivation for robbery was money and they obtained the weapon for this purpose.”  

Judgment

The court condemned Mr. Mehdi Ahmadi to death in public for corruption on Earth, to 3 years imprisonment and 74 lashes for participation in robberies. He was hanged in public in Suhanak on September 12, 2001. 

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