Re-posted from Shahrokh Zamani Action Campaign
Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaqoubi and Saleh Mirhashemi were taking part in street protests in Esfahan in November 2022. Now they face the death penalty.
The Iranian regime is relentlessly continuing its campaign of subduing and snuffing out the mass protests that began in September 2022 by ramping up the number of executions.
Since January 1st 2023 at least 209 people have been executed. Just during the past two weeks more than 60 people have been murdered by the state – especially in Baluchistan, where protests continue despite heavy repression.
On May 6th, Habib Chaab, an Arab political activist and a Swedish-Iranian dual national, was executed on the charge of “corruption on earth”. He was accused of involvement in a deadly attack on a military parade in Ahvaz in 2018. The Iranian regime abducted Mr Chaab in 2018 in Turkey.
Now three of the six people were arrested as part of the “Esfahan House” case have been condemned of Moharebeh – waging war against God – which is punished by death. Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaqoubi and Saleh Mirhashemi are accused of killing a police colonel and two members of the para-military Basij in Esfahan.
Their death sentences are based on forced confessions. Majid Kazemi has said: “I wasn’t involved. They tortured me. Under torture, I accepted everything.” Since he was arrested on November 16th 2022, Majid Kazemi has been subjected to 15 mock executions. His torturers also threatened to execute his brother.
The Shahrokh Zamani Action Campaign strongly condemns the arrest, torture and continuing detention of Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaqoubi and Saleh Mirhashemi and all other protesters by the Iranian regime and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. We urge all trade unionists, socialists and other political activists to help us in defending the rights of all workers, political prisoners and social rights’ activists in Iran.
Shahrokh Zamani Action Campaign
14 May 2023
