Two Prisoners in Arak Sentenced to Death on Blasphemy Charges

The death sentences for two prisoners being held in Arak Prison on charges of blasphemy against the Prophet have been announced.

According to Article 262 of the Islamic Penal Code, anyone who insults or defames the Prophet of Islam commits blasphemy and is sentenced to death.

The identity of one of the two prisoners, Youssef Mehrdad from Ardabil, has been disclosed, while the identity of the other prisoner remains unknown.

The trials of both prisoners took place in the first criminal court branch of Arak District Court, and the death sentences were notified to the two prisoners on Thursday, the second of Ordibehesht, in prison.

Youssef Mehrdad, who was arrested in Ardabil on June 4 of last year, has another case involving charges such as “propaganda against the system,” “forming a group,” and “insulting the founder of the revolution and the leadership.” A hearing on this case is scheduled for June 3 of this year.

The Iranian government is issuing death sentences for charges such as “apostasy” and “blasphemy against the Prophet,” while the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights does not classify these violations as serious crimes.

According to the latest report by Amnesty International, the Islamic Republic of Iran, by executing 246 death sentences in 2020, ranked second after China in executions worldwide.

Amnesty International has emphasized that this is the minimum number of recorded executions in Iran, and it is likely that the actual number of executions in Iran is even higher than this figure.

Source: Radio Farda