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 Maleki

About

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

Case

Date of Killing: April 16, 2004
Location of Killing: Gilan Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Murder

About this Case

The execution of Mr. Mehdi Maleki was published on the websites of both the Keyhan and theIran newspapers on April 18, 2004. According to these papers, Hamed Karimi, 15, was murdered in Rezvanshahr (Gilan province) in November, 2002.

Arrest and detention

The circumstances of this defendant’s arrest and detention are not known.

Trial

The defendant was tried in the Second Branch of Rezvanshahr court and his case was referred to the Supreme Court.

Charges

According to the media reports, the charge against the defendant was "murder". "On November 6, 2002, Mehdi Maleki, 25, took the victim, Hamed Karimi, 15, to the surrounding areas of Rezvanshahr for a walk and unexpectedly murdered him."

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 then executed them citing drug trafficking, sexual, and other criminal offences. Each year, Iranian authorities sentence to death hundreds of alleged common criminals, 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

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

Defense

No information is available on Mr. Mehdi Maleki's defense.

Judgment

Based on the court decision and the confirmation of the Supreme Court, Mr. Mehdi Maleki was hanged in Rezvanshahr on April 16, 2004. According to the media reports, "The victim's mother pulled the rope and ended the life of her son's murderer in front of bystanders in pouring rain."

Correct/ Complete This Entry