Amnesty International Calls for Cancellation of Death Sentences for Three November Protest Detainees
Amnesty International issued an appeal calling for the cancellation of death sentences for “Amir Hossein Moradi,” “Saeed Tamjidi,” and “Mohammad Rajabi,” three individuals arrested during November protests.
Amnesty International issued this appeal on Friday, March 1st, calling on people and human rights activists worldwide to write letters to Ebrahim Raisi, the Head of the Judiciary, demanding the cancellation of sentences for these political prisoners and the holding of a fair trial without resorting to capital punishment for these individuals.
The human rights organization, pointing to the unjust nature of the sentences imposed on these individuals, stated that these three prisoners arrested during November protests were tortured during the investigation and interrogation phase and were denied the right to have a lawyer.
According to available information, these three citizens who were arrested following the November protests were recently sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Abolqasem Solouti, on the charge of “participation in destruction and arson with intent to oppose the Islamic Republic system.”
Previously, Voice of America, citing the Human Rights Defenders Center, reported that these individuals stated in meetings with their families that their confessions were forced and under torture, and that none of them had any connection with the Mujahedin-e Khalq organization, and that carrying daggers and knives was also untrue.
Amnesty International called on people and activists to use their voices and pens, inspired by this appeal, to advocate for the release of “Amir Hossein Moradi,” “Saeed Tamjidi,” and “Mohammad Rajabi,” and to demand that Iranian authorities ensure these individuals have access to their chosen lawyers and families, that their torture allegations be investigated, and that suspects be tried fairly.
According to available information, among these three citizens, Amir Hossein Moradi was initially arrested by security forces, and after his arrest, the other two fled to a neighboring country (possibly Turkey). After some time, these individuals were arrested by that country’s police and handed over to Iran.
Protests against rising gasoline prices began on Friday, the 15th of November, following the sudden announcement of the fuel price increase, in various Iranian cities including Mashhad, Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr, and Behbahan, and gradually spread to all regions of the country. Over the past two days, various news reports and videos of protest gatherings and slogans against the government in different cities have been published. In some cities, protesters set fires to banks and clashed with police.
America states that the Islamic Republic is spending the country’s wealth to support terrorist groups and destabilize the Middle East instead of helping its people. The United States has repeatedly condemned institutionalized financial corruption and the plundering of Iran’s natural resources by regime-affiliated individuals, considering them among the main factors in Iran’s economic and financial problems.
Some time ago, Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, tweeted about Islamic Republic officials saying they were engaged in corruption instead of helping the people.
Source: Voice of America
