Abdorrahman Boroumand Center

for Human Rights in Iran

https://www.iranrights.org
Omid, a memorial in defense of human rights in Iran
One Person’s Story

Abdolqayum Shahji

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim

Case

Date of Killing: January 2, 2008
Location of Killing: Central Prison, Zahedan, Sistan Va Baluchestan Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug trafficking

About this Case

News of the execution of Mr. Abdolqayum  Shahji, along with another individual, was announced by the websites of Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), and the news website of Sistan and Baluchistan’s Radio and Television Station (January 2, 2008), all citing the provincial Ministry of Justice office of Sistan and Baluchistan. It was also included by Radio Baluch in the list of the execution of Baluchi prisoners. Mr. Shahji’s case pertains to crimes connected to narcotics. 

Arrest and detention

There is no information available on the details of Mr. Shahji’s arrest and detention. 

Trial

Mr. Shahji was tried in Sistan and Baluchistan Province. However, there is no information available on the details of the session or sessions of his trial. 

Charges

Mr. Shahji was charged with “importing illegal drugs.”

The validity of the criminal charges brought against this defendant cannot be ascertained in the absence of the basic guarantees of a fair trial. International human rights organizations have drawn attention to reports indicating that the Islamic Republic authorities have brought trumped-up charges, including drug trafficking, sexual, and other criminal offences, against their opponents (including political, civil society activists, as well as unionists and ethnic and religious minorities). Thousands of alleged drug traffickers have been sentenced to death following judicial processes that fail to meet international standards. Scores of them were executed based on a 1989 law imposing mandatory death sentences on drug traffickers found in possession of specified amounts of proscribed narcotics (5 kg of hashish or opium, and more than 30 grams of heroin, codeine or methadone). The exact number of people convicted based on trumped-up charges is unknown. 

Evidence of guilt

“Possessing 3 kilograms and 250 grams of heroin” was entered as evidence of guilt against Mr. Shahji. 

Defense

There is no information available on the details of Mr. Shahji’s defense. 

Judgment

The court sentenced Mr. Abdolqayum  Shahji to death. The verdict was validated by high-echelon judiciary authorities. Mr. Shahji was hanged, along with another individual, in the courtyard of Zahedan Prison on January 2, 2008.

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