Iran continues executions of Baloch and Kurdish citizens under different pretexts

ZAHEDAN: In the past three weeks Iranian forces have reportedly executed at least more than a dozen Baloch and Kurdish citizens in different prisons across Iran.

The Hengaw Human Rights Organisation reported that seven Kurds have been executed in various prisons in Iranian-occupied Kurdistan.

Similarly, Baloch human rights and social activists have reported that in the last three weeks Iranian forces have executed at least eight (8) Baloch citizens in different jails in Iran under the pretext of drug-related charges.

The Baloch activists noted that the Iranian prison authorities have never delayed the executions of inmates from Kurdistan and Balochistan and there have been few rare occasions when Kurdish and Baloch prisoners have been given access to lawyers.

Even those who have been represented by lawyers have never been provided justice and were executed unlawfully.

According to reports, on Sunday, August 8, 2021, the authorities hanged two Baloch prisoners in Birjand Central Jail.

 The detainees were identified as Zabihullah Harmzi son of Habibullah also known as Mehrullah Sanjarani a resident of Dozzap/Zahedan and Majid Gullabcha was also hanged on the same day.

 In addition, two other Baloch prisoners were hanged in Isfahan Jail whose identification has been confirmed as Azam Mohammad Hassani (Kayazai) son of Sohrab Baloch and Syed Ismail Kurdtamini, both residents of Dozzap/Zahedan.

 Both have also been charged with drug offenses.

Yet another two Baloch prisoners were hanged in Kerman Jail this morning, August 9, 2021.

 The identities of the two Baloch prisoners were ascertained as Nabi Nawtezahi son of Musa Baloch and Ibrahim Kambarzahi residents of Dozzap/Zahedan.

 Nabi and Ibrahim are said to have been arrested in Kerman five years ago on drug charges.

 The two prisoners were transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of Kerman Jail on August 7 and both Baloch nationals were hanged after sunrise at 7 am today.

 Prison authorities had allowed the families of the inmates to meet for the last time yesterday afternoon

 It should be noted that the bodies of the victims were still not handed over to their families at the time of filing this report.

Iran has the highest number of executions in the world as per its population ratio. Most executions are carried out in Iranian-occupied Balochistan and victims of executions are Baloch citizens.

The second-largest area where executions are carried out frequently is Iranian-occupied Kurdistan where the number of executions is higher than in any other region currently under Iran’s occupation.