SANANDAJ, Iran – Two protesters, Reza Rasaei and Mojahed Kourkour, have been sentenced to death and are now facing execution. The cases of both individuals have sparked international concern over due process and human rights in Iran.
Reza Rasaei’s mother, Azardokht Haqjouyan, has passionately pleaded for assistance to prevent the execution of her son’s death sentence, claiming his innocence. She revealed that her son’s extensive 1,500-page case file had been reviewed within a week, raising questions about the thoroughness of the judicial process.
Rasaei is accused of “murder” in connection with the death of Nader Beirami, the head of intelligence in Sanandaj, during a protest in the city on November 17, 2022. Meanwhile, Mojahed Kourkour’s sister confirmed that her brother’s death sentence had been ratified in the 39th branch of the Supreme Court. Kourkour is among the detainees of the nationwide uprising in Izeh and was arrested during an armed attack by security and law enforcement forces.
The judiciary has identified Kourkour as the “main suspect” in the killing of a 10-year-old, but the victim’s family maintains that the perpetrators were government forces. The conflicting accounts have further exacerbated the international concern over the justice system in Iran.
According to the latest annual report by Human Rights Activists In Iran (HRANA), there has been a significant increase in executions, with 746 individuals executed and death sentences issued rising by 68 percent.
The cases of Rasaei and Kourkour have brought to light the human rights issues in Iran and have led to calls for a thorough and fair judicial process to prevent potential miscarriages of justice.