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

Nader Azarnush

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Unknown
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: June 7, 2010
Location of Killing: Karaj, Tehran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug trafficking

About this Case

News of the execution of Mr. Nader Azarnush, along with twelve others, was published on the websites of HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency) on June 6, Modafe (Mohammad Mostafa’i website) on June 6 and 7, and Radio Baluch FM on June 8 and 15, 2010. According to Radio Baluch, six of these defendants were Baluches.

News of the transfer of 26 narcotics prisoners to the Quarantine Ward before execution was published by HRANA and Modafe websites on June 6, 2010.

Arrest and Detention

There is no specific information on the defendant’s arrest and detention.

Trial

No information is available on the defendant’s trial.

Charges

The charge against the defendant was announced as "transporting narcotics." According to Modafe, some of the defendants committed the crime for the first time.

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. Scores of them were executed based on a 1989 law imposing mandatory death sentences on drug traffickers found in possession of specified amounts of proscribed narcotics (5 kg of hashish or opium, and more than 30 grams of heroin, codeine or methadone). The exact number of people convicted based on trumped-up charges is unknown.

Evidence of Guilt

The report of this execution did not provide any specific information on the evidence presented against the defendant.

Defence

No information is available on the defendant's defence. According to HRANA, during an interview with Radio Zamaneh, Mohammad Mostafa’i stated: “I think the process to investigate narcotics related cases is not right. For example, all rulings related to narcotics charges cannot be appealed. The only authority that can appeal these rulings is the General Public Prosecutor who is the public defender and the prosecutor.”

Judgment

No specific information is available about the defendant’s execution. Mr. Nader Azarnush, along with twelve others, was hanged at Qezelhesar prison in Karaj on June 7, 2010. The ruling was carried out without the presence of the defendant’s attorney. The defendant’s family was not informed of the time of his execution.

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