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

Azar Jahanian

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim

Case

Date of Killing: February 14, 1989
Location of Killing: Borujerd, Lorestan Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Unspecified offense; Drug trafficking; Possession of arms

About this Case

The execution of Mr. Ms. Azar Jahanian, daughter of Alibakhsh, 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 Ms. Jahanian were announced as “continuous participation in dealing and distributing narcotics especially heroin, (she was arrested once for distributing 100 grams of heroin and a second time for buying 30 grams of heroin), participation in dealing combat weapons, and possession of a combat weapon and two grenades. She had two records of previous convictions for dealing and distributing 230 grams of heroin for which she was condemned to life imprisonment but was pardoned. Since she continued to deal and distribute narcotics and smuggle weapon, she was ultimately condemned to death.”

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 Ms. Jahanian’s defense.

Judgment

The Islamic Revolutionary court of Borujerd (Lorestan province) condemned Ms. Azar Jahanian to death as a corruptor on earth. She was hanged in public on February 14, 1989.

Correct/ Complete This Entry