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

Mehdi Khanbashi

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: July, 1996
Location of Killing: Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Unspecified execution method
Charges: Drug trafficking

About this Case

Mr. Mehdi Khanbashi is among the 64 individuals listed in the United Nations Interim Report (11 October 1996) on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran prepared by the Special Representative of the Commission, Mr. Maurice Danby Copithorne.

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’s authorities have brought trumped-up charges against their political opponents and executed them for drug trafficking, sexual, and other criminal offences. 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 (5 kg of hashish or opium, and more than 30 grams of heroin, codeine or methadone) of proscribed narcotics. The exact number of people convicted based on trumped-up charges is unknown

Arrest and detention

The circumstances of this defendant’s arrest and detention are not known.

Trial

No information is available on the defendant’s trial.

Charges

Mr. Khanbashi was charged with belonging to a drug trafficking gang that allegedly transported five tons of drugs across the border.

Evidence of guilt

The report of this execution does not contain information regarding the evidence provided against the defendant.

Defense

No information is available on the defense.

Judgment

Mr. Khanbashi was sentenced to death.

Correct/ Complete This Entry