Surge in Executions in Iran: 14 More Lives Lost, Totaling 107 in Four Weeks

 Today, May 18, the Iranian regime’s relentless pursuit of bloodshed and brutality was once again evident as it carried out 14 executions in Khorramabad, Kerman, Sanandaj, Jiroft and Rasht prisons. The victims of this state-sanctioned violence include Ali Khorramshah Amrai, Najaf Suleiman Rashed, Firoz Yarinejad Garavand, Hossein Pourshah, Omid Janabadi, Nabiullah Zaboli, Mostafa Salehi, Jamshid Karimi, a Baluch compatriot and father of five Nader Rigi, Mostafa Vafaei, and Farhad Vafaei. Additionally, an Afghan prisoner was executed in Gohardasht on Monday, May 15 according to the state-run website Rokna. Shockingly, this brings the total number of executions to at least 107 for the past four weeks.

Furthermore, the regime persists in subjecting death row prisoners to solitary confinement. Recent reports confirm that six prisoners, including one woman, were transferred to solitary cells in Kerman prison, while four others met the same fate in Dastgerd prison in Isfahan on Wednesday. Concerns grow for the safety and well-being of six political prisoners from the Arab community who were transferred to solitary cells in Shiban prison in Ahvaz on May 7, as their fate remains unknown.

In a display of defiance against the regime’s merciless actions, the people of Isfahan rallied last night, determined to prevent the execution of three uprising prisoners. Despite the heavy presence of repressive forces, Isfahan’s citizens marched on foot and in cars toward Tastgard prison. The entrance was promptly barricaded by the regime’s mercenaries, triggering a wave of car horn protests. Regrettably, the peaceful gathering was met with brutal attacks by the hired thugs, resulting in several arrests. The night air in Chaharbagh echoed with chants of “Death to the executioner regime” and “Death to the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Leader (Khamenei).”

Similarly, on Wednesday night, widespread protests erupted in various areas of Tehran, including near Evin prison, Chitgar town, Bagheri town, and Ekbatan town. The resolute voices of the people resonated through the streets, chanting ” Death to the executioner regime,” and “Death to the dictator.”

Amidst these developments, a Telegram channel linked to the IRGC, known as Saberin News, published a fabricated statement attributed to a spokesperson of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) as, “three zealous Isfahani youths, supporters of the Mojahedin organization, who took up arms with the instructions of the organization in the way of fighting against the criminal mullahs’ regime.” It went on to conclude, “the Monafeqin terrorist organization took responsibility for the terrorist operation in Isfahan house”!

In response, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) draws the attention of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, the Human Rights Council, and international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the International Federation of Human Rights Societies, to this obvious and deliberate falsification in order to set up cases and execute Saleh Mirhashmi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaqoubi. It also reminded similar forgeries on March 29, 2023, and reiterated that the MEK positions are published on the MEK website and via Simay-e Azadi (INTV).

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)

May 18, 2023