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

Khadijeh Qasem Haj

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Married

Case

Date of Killing: October 9, 1979
Location of Killing: Babol, Mazandaran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Shooting

About this Case

The news of the execution of Ms. Khadijeh Qasem Haj was reported by the Kayhan and Enqelab Eslami correspondents in Babol (October 10, 1979).

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 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

Based on this reports, Ms. Qasem Haj, mother of four, was arrested “following complaints by her husband, brother, and people in her neighborhood.”

Trial

No information is available on the defendant’s trial.

Charges

Based on the reports, Ms. Qasem Haj was charged with adultery and “acts incompatible with chastity” (“corrupting women and girls”).

Evidence of guilt

The reports of this execution do not contain information regarding the evidence provided against the defendant.

Defense

No information is available on Ms. Qasem Haj's defense.

Judgment

The Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of Babol sentenced Ms. Qasem Haj to death. However, the carrying out of the sentence was delayed since she was believed to be pregnant. After the accused was examined by a doctor who concluded that she was not pregnant, Ms. Qasem Haj was put before the firing squad in the palace of the former Shah in Babol and was shot to death.

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