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 E'temadi

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: January 28, 1985
Location of Killing: Qasr Prison, Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug trafficking; Drug possession

About this Case

The execution of Mr. Mehdi E’temadi, son of Mohammad, along with 24 others, was reported in the Kayhan daily on January 28, 1985.

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, other than Mr. E’temadi was tried at one of the tribunals of the Islamic Revolutionary Prosecution Office to Combat Drugs in Tehran.

Charges

According to this report, Mr. E’temadi and two other defendants were collectively charged with “being greatly and continuously active in supplying and distributing heroin… collaboration in supplying 7 kg of heroin in Orumieh and selling it in Tehran, supplying 1 kg of heroin and selling it in 5-gram packages”.

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. Each year, Iranian authorities sentence to death hundreds of alleged common criminals, following judicial processes that fail to meet international standards. The exact number of people convicted based on trumped-up charges is unknown.

Evidence of guilt

According to the report, Mr. E’temadi had “18 previous convictions for supplying and distributing narcotics and possession of 2.98 kg of heroin at the time of his arrest.”

Defense

No information is available on Mr. E’temadi’s defense.

Judgment

One of the tribunals of the Islamic Revolutionary Prosecution Office to Combat Drugs in Tehran sentenced Mr. E’temadi to death and the Supreme Court approved the verdict. Mr. Mehdi E’temadi and 24 other individuals were hanged at Qasr prison in Tehran on January 28, 1985.

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