Suicide attempt by a child criminal sentenced to death in Iran
Ali Arzhangi, a child criminal prisoner in Iran who was allegedly accused of "premeditated murder" at the age of 17 and was on death row, has committed suicide in Ardabil Central Prison.
The Iranian Human Rights Organization, citing an informed source, says that Ali Arzhangi, a death row inmate who attempted to end his life before the execution of his sentence by cutting part of his neck and veins on Saturday, June 12, was transferred by the authorities of Ardabil Central Prison to Fatemi Hospital in the city and is currently in critical condition.
According to this human rights organization, the plaintiffs in the case had given Ali Arzhangi's family until the end of May to collect the requested amount of money and gain their consent. Due to the failure of the family of this child-criminal to collect the desired amount, the period was extended until the end of July of this year.
Mahmoud Amirimoghadam, director of the Iranian Human Rights Organization, says: "Ali Arzhangi's suicide attempt may be his last attempt to reach the world. A voice that says, 'I want to stay alive.' I hope the media and the international community hear Ali's voice and try to save him."
According to this human rights organization, the mental development of Ali Arzhangi Fardqoje Biglo, who was arrested four years ago and has been on death row, has already been confirmed by the forensic medicine, and his death sentence has been issued by Branch 3 of Criminal Court 1, Special for Children and Juveniles, and confirmed by the Supreme Court.
Previously, Voice of America had announced in several reports, citing human rights organizations and Amnesty International, that at least 90 child criminals in Iran were at risk of execution, and Amnesty International has repeatedly called on Iranian authorities to completely abolish the death penalty for crimes committed by persons under the age of 18 by amending Article 91 of the Islamic Penal Code approved in 2013.
Iran is one of the last countries in the world that, in violation of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, continues to apply the death penalty for crimes committed by persons under the age of 18.
Source: Voice of America
