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

Mas'ud

About

Age: 33
Nationality: Iran
Religion: Unknown
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: June 8, 2010
Location of Killing: Qom, Markazi Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug related offense; Drug trafficking; Drug possession

About this Case

News of the execution of Mr. Mas’ud, along with four others, was published on the websites of the Iran newspaper on June 9, and Fars news agency on June 10, 2010, quoting the Public Prosecutor of Qom.

Arrest and Detention

There is no specific information on the defendant’s arrest and detention.

Trial

No information is available on the defendant’s trial. This trial took place at the Revolutionary Court.

Charges

The charges against Mr. Mas’ud were announced as "having a previous record, and transportation, possession, and selling of 8 kilograms of heroin.”

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 Islamic Republic authorities have brought trumped-up charges against their political opponents and executed them for alleged 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 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

The report of this execution did not provide any specific information on the evidence presented against the defendant.

Defence

No information is available on the defendant's defence.

Judgment

The court condemned Mr. Mas’ud to death and the ruling was confirmed by the General Public Prosecutor’s Office. The defendant’s request for pardon was rejected at the Pardon Commission. He was hanged at the Central Prison in Qom on June 8, 2010. Mr. Mas’ud was 33 years old.

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