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

A. A.

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: July 2, 2012
Location of Killing: Semnan Prison, Semnan, Semnan Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug related offense; Drug possession

About this Case

The news of Mr. A. A.’s execution along with two others was announced by the websites of Mehr News which quoted the Public Relations Section of the provincial Ministry of Justice office in Semnan, IRNA (the Islamic Republic News Agency), and Aftab. The news of this execution along with three other cases was also announced by the website of Iran Human Rights on July 11, 2012. Mr. A. A.’s case as well as those of two others pertains to drug trafficking.

Arrest and Detention

The circumstances of Mr. A. A.’s arrest and detention are not known.

Trial

Mr. A. A. was tried by the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Semnan. However, there is no information available on the session or sessions of Mr. A. A.’s trial.

Charges

The Public Relations Section of the provincial Ministry of Justice office in Semnan charged Mr. A. A. with “storing and carrying a large amount of narcotics.”

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 authorities have brought trumped-up charges, including drug trafficking, sexual, and other criminal offences, against their opponents (including political, civil society activists, as well as unionists and ethnic and religious minorities). Thousands of alleged drug traffickers have been sentenced to death following judicial processes that fail to meet international standards. Scores of them were executed based on a 1989 law imposing mandatory death sentences on drug traffickers found in possession of specified amounts of proscribed narcotics (5 kg of hashish or opium, and more than 30 grams of heroin, codeine or methadone). The exact number of people convicted based on trumped-up charges is unknown.

Evidence of Guilt

The report of this execution does not contain information regarding the evidence provided against Mr. A. A.

Defense

Mr. A. A. appealed for amnesty twice, but the central committee rejected his appeals. There is no information available on his defense.

Judgment

The Islamic Revolutionary Court of Semnan Province sentenced Mr. A. A. to death. The verdict was approved by the Chief Public Prosecutor and head of the Judiciary. Mr. A. A. was hanged in Semnan Prison along with two others on the morning of Monday, July 11, 2012.

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