Iranian authorities have sentenced a political prisoner to death and transferred him to solitary confinement ahead of his execution for blasphemy and for allegedly collaborating with Israel.
Iranian political prisoner Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was transferred to a pre-execution solitary confinement cell.
While the West obsesses over Palestinians, this is what the Iranian people are facing:https://t.co/QzW2E6t1J2— Adam Milstein (@AdamMilstein) December 15, 2024
26-year-old Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was initially detained at the Evin Prison but was shortly after transferred to the pre-execution solitary confinement cells of the Ghezel Hesar Prison, around 20 kilometers northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran.
Shayesteh was arrested in 2023 and placed on death row for “insulting Islamic sanctities” and “collaborating with the enemy.” Iranian authorities claimed that he collaborated with Israel, although the accusation was based on confessions obtained under torture, and he was hastily convicted, according to Iran Human Rights (IHR).
The human rights organization also noted the case’s lack of evidence, pointing out that "an empty handgun magazine" and "a pepper spray can" were presented as proof of "possession of illegal weapons" to support the charge of "collaboration with the enemy."
— Amip Patel (@amip_patel85378) December 15, 2024
Shayesteh was subsequently tried by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by “Death Judge” Salavati, who issued a death sentence after a hasty trial.
In recent months, the Iranian government has escalated its use of the death penalty, with human rights organizations reporting that over 42 political prisoners in Iran currently face the risk of execution. Furthermore, more than 300 people have been executed over the past two months, according to IHR.
“The Islamic Republic is going through the biggest crises of its lifetime and, in order to prevent popular protests and cover up regional failures, is resorting to intimidation through the execution of defenseless prisoners." Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of the IHRNGO, said.
everyone knows what confession under torture means.
— JustinBarrett (@justinb75631302) December 15, 2024
"We once again call on the international community to make efforts to prevent the execution of Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh and other prisoners," Moghaddam added.
