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 Esma'ili

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim

Case

Date of Killing: February 14, 1989
Location of Killing: Kerman, Kerman Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug trafficking

About this Case

The execution of Mr. Mohammad Esma’ili, son of Safar, along with 67 other individuals, was announced in the communiqué No. 5 of Iran Drug Control Headquarters, and published in the Jomhuri Eslami newspaper on February 15, 1989.

The communiqué cautions: “This is another warning to those who continue their criminal activities, thinking this plan will be discontinued after awhile. They dream of continuous import and distribution of narcotics among our people, benefiting only the international powers. However, they must know that this fight will continue until this corruption is uprooted by God’s will and power. Once again those who are involved in this business of death are warned to stop their actions against the Islamic nation and begin an honest life. Otherwise, the Islamic Revolutionary courts will act decisively to try and condemn them to death as corruptors on earth and the rulings will be carried out immediately without any compassion for these traders death. Also, all the public places, hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops are warned to avoid serving such people and, if they recognize anyone, they must report him to the security forces. Otherwise, they will be treated harshly according to the law.”

Arrest and Detention

The circumstances of this defendant’s arrest and detention are not known.

Trial

No information is available on the defendant’s trial.

Charges

The charges against Mr. Esma’ili and another individual were announced as “establishing a drug trafficking gang, supplying and distributing narcotics; specifically dealing more than 2175 kilograms of opium, and having a previous conviction for dealing narcotics.” They were condemned to life imprisonment and afterwards pardoned.

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 Islamic Republic authorities have brought trumped-up charges against their political opponents and executed them for alleged 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 of this execution does not contain information regarding the evidence provided against the defendant other than what was stated in the Announcement against 68 defendants: “These merchants of death collectively distributed 13 tons of opium, 315 kilograms of heroin, 92 kilograms of hashish and 10 kilograms of morphine. Also, a total of two RPG7’s with 17 ammunition, 34 combat weapons, and 530 bullets were recovered from them.”

Defense

No information is available on Mr. Esma’ili’s defense.

Judgment

The Islamic Revolutionary court of Kerman condemned Mr. Mohammad Esma’ili to death as a corruptor on earth. He was hanged in public on February 14, 1989 in Kerman.

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