The Iranian judiciary has sentenced six political prisoners—Abolhassan Montazer, Pouya Ghobadi, Vahid Bani-Amrian, Babak Alipour, Ali Akbar Daneshvarkar, and Mohammad Taghavi—to death after months of interrogation and alleged torture. Their charges, handed down by Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, include accusations such as “membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK),” “collusion against national security,” and “armed rebellion against the government.” Additionally, Mohammad Taghavi’s brothers, Mojtaba and Ali Taghavi, were sentenced to imprisonment and exile solely due to familial ties.
These sentences exemplify an alarming trend of repression by the Iranian regime, which has intensified its use of capital punishment as a tool for silencing dissent. The international community must act swiftly to prevent the execution of these individuals and safeguard their fundamental human rights.
Profiles of the Condemned
1. Abolhassan Montazer (65)
An architecture graduate and a political prisoner during the 1980s, Montazer has endured repeated arrests, including in 2018, 2020, and most recently in January 2024. Despite severe health issues, including heart, lung, and kidney diseases, he faces execution.
2. Pouya Ghobadi (32)
An electrical engineer arrested in March 2024, Ghobadi has faced repeated detentions over the years, reflecting the regime’s systematic targeting of young professionals.
3. Vahid Bani-Amrian (32)
A management graduate arrested in January 2024, Bani-Amrian has previously spent four years in prison on various charges since 2017.
4. Babak Alipour (33)
A law graduate arrested in January 2024, Alipour was previously detained in 2018 in Rasht and served four years in prison.
5. Ali Akbar Daneshvarkar (57)
A civil engineer arrested in January 2024, Daneshvarkar now faces execution for his alleged political activities.
6. Mohammad Taghavi (58)
A political prisoner from the 1980s and 1990s, Taghavi was last arrested in 2020 and imprisoned for three years on charges linked to the PMOI/MEK. His family is now also being targeted, with his brothers Mojtaba and Ali sentenced to imprisonment and exile.
A Broader Strategy of Repression
The death sentences are part of a broader strategy employed by the Iranian regime to suppress dissent and stifle ongoing protests. Activists and rights groups argue that these actions are meant to instill fear among citizens and dissuade opposition movements.
International Response is Crucial
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has called on the international community to intervene urgently. They urge:
- The United Nations Security Council, High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Human Rights Council to demand accountability and halt these executions.
- The European Union and its member states to take immediate diplomatic and economic actions against the Iranian regime.
A Plea for Action
The Iranian regime’s increasing reliance on execution as a weapon against its people is a stark violation of international human rights norms. Failure to act will embolden further abuses and set a dangerous precedent.
The lives of these six individuals, along with countless others languishing in Iran’s prisons, hang in the balance. The global community must stand united in defending the fundamental rights of these prisoners and ensuring justice prevails.
