SANANDAJ, Iran – Two protesters, Reza Rasaei and Mojahed Kourkour, are facing execution for their alleged roles in violent protests in Iran.
Azardokht Haqjouyan, the mother of Reza Rasaei, has spoken out against her son’s death sentence, insisting on his innocence and calling for help to prevent his execution. She revealed that her son’s 1,500-page case file was reviewed within a week.
Rasaei is accused of involvement in the death of Nader Beirami, head of intelligence in Sanandaj, during a protest in the city on November 17, 2022. Meanwhile, Mojahed Kourkour’s sister confirmed that his death sentence had been upheld in the 39th branch of the Supreme Court.
Kourkour was among the detainees of the nationwide uprising in Izeh, arrested during an armed attack by security and law enforcement forces on a village near Izeh. The judiciary identifies him as the “main suspect” in the killing of a 10-year-old, but the victim’s family maintains that government forces were responsible. The situation has sparked international concern over due process and human rights violations in Iran.
According to the latest annual report by Human Rights Activists In Iran (HRANA), there has been a significant increase in executions and death sentences issued in Iran. The report highlights a 32 percent increase in executions from 2022 and a 68 percent rise in death sentences.
The executions of Rasaei and Kourkour, along with the alarming increase in death sentences, have raised serious concerns about the state of human rights and due process in Iran. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely.