Cancellation of the executions of "Yousef Mehrad" and "Sadrollah Fazeli Zare"

This morning, Friday, May 5, the death sentences of Yousef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare were overturned and they were transferred to general custody.

According to the Human Rights Activists Channel, yesterday, Yousef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli (prisoners of conscience sentenced to death in Arak Central Prison) were transferred to solitary confinement to carry out their death sentences.

Yousef Mehrad and Sadrullah (Amir) Fazeli were previously charged with “blasphemy” and “insulting the Prophet” by the judiciary and sentenced to death for insulting sacred places. This was despite the fact that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights does not consider these violations to be serious crimes.

According to "Dadban", regarding the details of the case of these two prisoners of conscience, the only citation in the case against Yousef Mehrad is an "implied confession", which according to the law is not sufficient evidence to prove the charge of "insulting the Prophet", and the only evidence available against Amir Fazeli is membership in a Telegram channel whose content is related to criticizing religious superstitions.

Regarding the execution of Yousef and Amir, Yousef Mehrad's sister posted a message on social media asking for people's help in gathering in front of Arak Prison to prevent the execution. She wrote in the message: "Tomorrow at 3 am before the call to prayer, the execution of these two prisoners will take place. My dear people, do not allow this sentence to be carried out by gathering in front of the prison door. Yousef is married and the father of three young children."

Prince Pahlavi also published an article on the matter, writing: "Worrying reports have been published regarding the execution of two prisoners of conscience in Arak in the coming hours. I call on all defenders of freedom of expression in Iran and around the world to put pressure on the Islamic Republic to save the lives of Yousef Mehrad and Sadrallah Fazeli Zare and to overturn their death sentences. Do not allow this bloodthirsty regime to take the lives of two more people simply for expressing their beliefs and convictions."

As a result of the people's gathering and unity in front of the door of Arak Central Prison, on Friday morning, May 5, the death sentences of Yousef Mehrad and Amir Fazeli were overturned and they were transferred to general ward. This means that the people's protest and unity are not ineffective and the system is terrified of this unity and solidarity.

The International Committee also called on all people, especially the people of Arak, to help the families of the prisoners and announced: "Hurry up to help the families and gather in front of the door of Arak prison until the death sentence is completely revoked. We, the people, must not allow the death sentence to be carried out. We demand the complete revocation of the death sentences of Yousef Mehrad and Amir Fazeli. The right of citizens to have freedom of expression and to criticize religion and religious sanctities must be recognized."