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

Siavosh Purfahmideh

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: August 7, 1980
Location of Killing: Evin Prison, Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Shooting
Charges: War on God, God's Prophet and the deputy of the Twelfth Imam; Plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic; Working with or for a foreign power; Corruption on earth

About this Case

The execution of Third Assistant Lieutenant Siavosh Purfahmideh and 10 others convicted of participation in an unrealized coup d’etat plan known as Noje was declared in a communiqué of the Public Relations of the Islamic Revolutionary Public Prosecutor’s central office. The communiqué was published in the Jomhuri Eslami daily (August 7, 1980).

In his 07/19/1980 indictment (published in the Enqelab Eslami and Jomhuri Eslami dailies, July 20, 1980), the public prosecutor provided the following “necessary explanation” about some other participants of this coup d’etat that was never put to practice: “This conspiracy is not a single incident and these conspirators cannot be considered ordinary convicts. These are criminals who have undermined the newly-found truth, honor, and dignity of a liberated umma [community of Muslim people]. Considering that and by consulting the holly verses of the Koran regarding the punishment of the ‘rebel’ against the Islamic sovereign, it is imperative that the convicts receive their punishment according to the Shari’a law.”

Arrest and detention

No information is available on the circumstances of Lt. Purfahmideh’s arrest and detention.

Trial

According to this communiqué, the First Branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of the Center held sessions from 08/04/1980 to 08/06/1980 to examine the cases of these thirtheen defendants.

Charges

No individual charges were specified for Lt. Purfahmideh. Collectively, the defendants were charged with “rebellion against the just Imam and the Islamic Republic of Iran” and “enjoying assistance from such powerful supporters as America and Israel.”

The public prosecutor’s 07/19/1980 indictment reads as follows regarding some other participants of this coup d’etat plan: “These enthusiasts of the Shah’s rotten, filthy, and reactionary regime, these supporters of the blood-thirsty American imperialism, had in mind to bring ‘American social democracy’ as a gift to the liberated people of Iran. They had in mind to re-asses the opinion of our heroic nation about the return of the royal system through a referendum […].”

Evidence of guilt

The communiqué did not provide any specific information on the evidence presented against the defendants.

Defense

The communiqué indicated that the accused’s defense was heard, but provided no further specific information.

Judgment

The First Branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of the Center declared Lt. Purfahmideh a “corruptor on earth” and an “enemy of God and his prophet” and sentenced him to death. He was executed at 1 a.m., within hours since his trial.

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