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

Taj Mohammad Forutan

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: May 16, 1989
Location of Killing: Gorgan, Mazandaran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug trafficking

About this Case

The execution of Mr. Taj Mohammad Forutan was reported along with 9 others in the Jomhuri Eslami daily (July 22, 1980)

The validity of the criminal charges brought against these defendants 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. 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.

Arrest and detention

The circumstances of this defendant’s arrest and detention are unknown.

Trial

Based on the report, the verdict was issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of Gorgan. No specific information about the circumstances of the trial is available.

Charges

The report did not mention the specific charge leveled against Mr. Forutan. However, the defendants were collectively charged with the following: “continuous and active involvement in smuggling drugs and carrying them, armed, from the Eastern provinces to the Gorgan region; distributing drugs, particularly a total of more than 1000 kilograms of opium; participation in smuggling guns and ammunitions; and possessing a total of three weapons.”

Evidence of guilt

The report of this execution does not contain any information regarding the evidence provided against the defendant.

Defense

No information is available on the defendant’s defense.

Judgment

Mr. Forutan along with the rest of the defendants was sentenced to death. The report reads as follows: “To continue the ultimate battle against ‘death dealers’ and ‘corruptors on earth,’ 10 smugglers were hanged in public and in the presence of the Hezbollah Umma [community of Muslim people] this morning.”

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