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

Zia'olhaq Kord Raji

About

Nationality: Iran
Religion: Presumed Muslim
Civil Status: Unknown

Case

Date of Killing: December 7, 2004
Location of Killing: Laleh Park, Zahedan, Sistan Va Baluchestan Province, Iran
Mode of Killing: Hanging
Charges: Drug possession; Drug trafficking

About this Case

News of the execution of Mr. Zia’olhaq Kord Raji, son of Shah Nazar, was announced by various outlets including the website of Kayhan daily (December 7, 2004), Islamic Republic daily (December 11, 2004), Iran daily (December 9, 2004), and Ettela’at daily (December 11, 2004).

According to the available information, the case of Mr. Kord Raji pertains to membership in a drug cartel, as well as armed purchase and sale of illegal drugs.

Arrest and detention

According to the available information, Mr. Kord Raji was arrested by the police force of Sistan and Baluchistan Province (Islamic Republic daily). However, there is no information available on the details of his arrest and detention.

Trial

According to the available information, Mr. Kord Raji and the other defendants of this case were tried by Branch 1 and Branch 2 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Zahedan (Islamic Republic daily). However, there is no information available on the details of the session or sessions of Mr. Kord Raji trial.

Charges

According to the available documents, Mr. Kord Raji and the other defendants of this case were collectively charged with “establishing and membership in a drug cartel with the purpose of obtaining and distributing illegal drugs in the cities of Qom, Kerman and Tehran.” Mr. Kord Raji and the other executed defendants were charged with “carrying, storing and distributing heroin, opium and hashish, as well as membership in fear-inducing cartels” (Kayhan daily). Possessing firearms, and armed struggle with the police force that led to the death of a police agent, were among other charges brought against the defendants of this case (Ettela’at daily).

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 authorities have brought trumped-up charges, including drug trafficking, sexual, and other criminal offences, against their opponents (including political, civil society activists, as well as unionists and ethnic and religious minorities). 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

There is no information available on the details of the evidence of guilt entered against Mr. Kord Raji.

Defense

There is no information available on the details of Mr. Kord Raji’s defense.

Judgment

Branch 1 and Branch 2 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Zahedan sentenced Mr. Zia’olhaq Kord Raji to death. The verdict was validated by the Supreme Court. After the Chief Public Prosecutor had enforced the sentence (Islamic Republic daily), Mr. Kord Raji and the other six defendants* of this case were publicly hanged in the Laleh Park of Zahedan, at the juncture between Behesht and Janbazan Boulevards, at 10 AM on Tuesday, December 7, 2004.

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* Abdolmajid Forqan, Mohammad Ghos Hassanzehi, Alireza Lavarzehi, Jom’e Gorgij, Bidollah Gorgij, and Na’im Qolje’i 

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