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

Mohammad Reza Zamandi

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: August 21, 1980
Location of Killing: Sabzevar, Khorasan\Khorasan-e Razavi Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Unspecified execution method
Charges: Drug trafficking

About this Case

The execution of Mohammadreza Zamandi was reported along with six others by the correspondent of the Jomhuri Eslami daily in Sabzevar (August 23, 1980).

Arrest and detention

The report indicated that the defendant was caught carrying large quantities of opium but managed to escape from Narcotics Agents. According to the report, the defendant was eventually arrested “through the zealous efforts of Pasdar [Revolutionary Guard] brothers”.

Trial

The report provided no information on Mr. Zamandi’s trial.

Charges

Based on the report, the defendant was charged with being a “number one drug dealer in Sabzevar Desert who has been involved in armed drug dealing under various rubrics”.

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. Thousands of alleged drug traffickers have been sentenced to death 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 indicated that the defendant was arrested while carrying three kilograms and five hundred grams of opium.

Defense

No information on the accused’s defense is available.

Judgment

The Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of Sabzevar sentenced Mr. Zamandi to death. He was executed at dawn, three days after his trial.

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