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

Ala'edin Kushali Etrati

About

Age: 27
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Islam (Shi'a)
Civil Status: Married

Case

Date of Killing: December 28, 1981
Location of Killing: Lahijan, Gilan Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Shooting
Charges: Unknown charge

About this Case

The information about Mr. Ala'edin (Hamid) Kushali Etrati is taken from the website of the Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO). He was born in Rasht. He was a well known athlete who played on various soccer teams. He was also a MKO sympathizer and a parliamentary candidate for this Organization. His wife, Ms. Esmat Shari'ati Maziani, and his brother Mr. Kamaloledin Kushali Etrati, also MKO sympathizers, were executed too.

This execution was also reported in an addendum to the Mojahed magazine (No 261), published by Mojahedin Khalq Organization in 1985. The list includes 12028 individuals, affiliated with various opposition groups, who were executed or killed during clashes with the Islamic Republic security forces from June 1981 to the publication date of the magazine.

Arrest and detention

The circumstances of this defendant’s arrest and detention are unknown. According to the MKO website, Mr. Kushali Etrati was arrested shortly after the demonstrations of June 20, 1981 and spent seven months in the Rasht prison. He was reportedly tortured severely and when his body was delivered to his family, the marks of torture were alarmingly evident.

The demonstration of June 20, 1981, were in protest against the parliament's impeachment of President Banisadr and the Islamic Republic's systematic policy of excluding the Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) from the country's political scene, the refusal of Ayatollah Khomeini to meet with MKO leaders and his desire to neutralize them. Until that time, the MKO had supported the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini and agreed to function within the framework of the new political system. On June 20th, the MKO officially changed its policy and tried to overthrow the regime by organizing mass demonstrations throughout the country. These demonstrations were severely suppressed and resulted in the killing of dozens of demonstrators. Afterwards there was a wave of mass arrests and executions by the Revolutionary Guards and paramilitary forces that targeted not only the MKO, but all other opposition groups. The massive repression was unprecedented in the history of the Islamic Republic, and it legitimized the months-old state harassment and suppression of dissidents and resulted in the banning of all forms of independent political dissent.

Trial

No information is available about the defendant’s trial.

Charges

No information is available on the charges against Mr. Kushali Etrati.

The validity of the criminal charges brought against this defendant cannot be ascertained in the absence of the basic guarantees of a fair trial.

Evidence of guilt

The report of this execution contains no evidence provided against Mr. Kushali Etrati.

Defence

No information is available about the defendant’s defence.

Judgment

No specific information is available about the defendant’s execution. According to the MKO website, Mr. Kushali Etrati was executed in the forests close to the prison on December 28, 1981.

Correct/ Complete This Entry