The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, in a statement dated December 17, announced that during the 47th week of hunger strikes by prisoners in 27 prisons across the country, at least 40 people had been executed in Iran over the past few days.
The imprisoned members of the campaign also expressed concern about the possible approval of death sentences for two political prisoners named Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh and Saman Mohammadi Khiyareh.
The statement, citing reports, adds that at least 40 people were executed in Iran last week, some of whom were hanged on drug-related charges. This comes while, following the collapse of Assad’s government in Syria, a factory linked to the Iranian regime was discovered, storing and distributing tens of tons of drugs to various parts of the world.
Activists in this campaign stress that executions for the possession of a few grams of drugs are being carried out, while large-scale drug trafficking continues with the involvement of regime-affiliated operatives.
The statement noted that Sistan and Baluchestan province, which has always faced severe pressure and deprivation, was among the regions with the highest number of executions this week, with at least 10 residents of the province executed.
The situation of political prisoners in Ghezel Hesar prison has also raised concerns. Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, who was sentenced to death on charges of “espionage” in a vague trial, has been transferred to this prison, and there is a possibility that his sentence will be approved and carried out.
On the other hand, Saman Mohammadi Khiyareh, another political prisoner who has been imprisoned for 15 years, has been transferred to solitary confinement, raising fears about the execution of his sentence. Security forces told Saman’s parents that they could visit their son for the last time at Ghezel Hesar prison on Tuesday. Saman was also informed that he would be allowed one final phone call before his execution.
Saman was about 20 years old when he was arrested and is now 35. He has a son who was born just days after his arrest; now his son is the same age as the years his father has spent in prison.
The statement also reported that in continuation of protests against the death penalty, prisoners in Tabas prison in South Khorasan and Khurin prison in Varamin announced through letters that they would join the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign and hold hunger strikes every Tuesday. According to the statement’s authors, with this move, the number of participating prisons in the campaign has increased to 27.
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign began last year with the goal of abolishing executions and ending state violence, initiated by several political prisoners and gradually expanded with the support of other prisoners.
