Following the transfer of political prisoner Aref Khoshkar, who has been sentenced to death, to a solitary confinement cell at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, concerns have intensified over the imminent implementation of his execution. According to received information, Khoshkar, who is currently being held in Unit 3 of Ghezel Hesar Prison, was transferred to a “suite,” or solitary confinement cell, on July 9. Informed sources have warned that his execution could be carried out in the coming days.
Aref Khoshkar was arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 and was sentenced to death on charges of killing a member of the Basij, the Iranian regime’s paramilitary force affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His family and relatives have expressed deep concern over his condition and have called on international human rights organizations and public opinion to give urgent attention to his case.
129th Week of ‘No To Executions Tuesdays’ Campaign in 58 Prisons Across Iran
The Arrest of Aref Khoshkar and the Judicial Proceedings
According to available information, on the evening of Saturday, October 8, 2022, during public protests in Tehran’s Fallah neighborhood, a member of the Basij militia affiliated with the IRGC was killed. Published reports indicate that Aref Khoshkar was arrested about one month later, on November 11, 2022, and was transferred to prison in mid-December 2022 on charges of premeditated murder.
Allegations of Forced Confession Under Torture
According to received information, Aref Khoshkar was subjected to severe physical and psychological pressure during his detention and was tortured in an effort to extract a confession. It has also been reported that security agents detained his younger brother and threatened him with sexual assault in order to force Khoshkar to accept responsibility for the killing of a member of the regime’s security forces.
Sources close to the case have emphasized that the confessions attributed to Khoshkar were obtained under such conditions and under intense security pressure and therefore lack legal validity.
According to published information, Aref Khoshkar was represented by a court-appointed attorney, and his family was consistently encouraged not to publicize details of his case.
Knowledgeable sources have also stated that Khoshkar was sentenced to death without being afforded an effective defense, without free access to a lawyer of his own choosing, and without a public trial. According to these sources, he was not even given a meaningful opportunity to defend himself during the judicial proceedings.
Growing Concerns Following His Transfer to Solitary Confinement
The transfer of Aref Khoshkar to solitary confinement at Ghezel Hesar Prison has heightened concerns that his execution may be imminent. In Iranian prisons, the transfer of death-row prisoners to solitary confinement is typically regarded as one of the final steps before an execution is carried out. However, judicial authorities and prison officials have not yet issued any official statement regarding his status.
