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

Sa'id Rafi'i

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: July 30, 2003
Location of Killing: Qasr Prison, Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Murder

About this Case

News of the execution of Mr. Sa’id Rafi’i, along with another person, was published in the E’temad newspaper on July 31, 2003. Additional information regarding his arrest and prosecution was taken from the Ettela’at newspaper of May 23, 2001 and the Iran newspaper of November 6, 2001.

Arrest and detention

According to the E’temad newspaper, following the recovery of two bodies in a villa in Tehran on May 3, 2001, police investigators found out that a gardener, who used to work at this place, had been seen at the location a few days earlier. After face drawing and finding his residence in Hamadan, police identified his location and arrested Mr. Rafi’i.

Trial

No information is available on Mr. Rafi’i’s trial.

Charges

The charge brought against Mr. Rafi’i was announced as “murder.” According to the E’temad newspaper, after murdering the residents of the villa, he stole money, gold, and valuables, and went to the Kabudarahang Village.     

The validity of the criminal charges brought against this defendant cannot be ascertained in the absence of the basic guarantees of a fair trial.

Evidence of guilt

The evidence presented against Mr. Rafi’i was his “confession.” According to the E’temad newspaper, during the interrogation, he stated that following his acquaintance with the property owner he went to the house, murdered the owner and his sister, and left with 72 thousand Tumans on May 1, 2001.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its systematic use of severe torture and solitary confinement to obtain confessions from detainees and have questioned the authenticity of confessions obtained under duress.

Defense

No information is available on Mr. Rafi’i’s defense.

Judgment

The court condemned Mr. Sa’id Rafi’i to death (two counts) and two years imprisonment. The Supreme Court confirmed the ruling. He was hanged at Qasr Prison in Tehran on July 30, 2003.  

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