TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – The Iranian judiciary confirmed that two journalists from the country’s Kurdish minority have been sentenced to death, state media reported Tuesday.

The verdict is a rare for journalists in Iran, despite constant state pressure on media workers. (more…)

Sina Paymard

The execution of 18-year-old Sina Paymard, which was planned to take place on 17 July, has been postponed. Sina Paymard was sentenced to death in Iran for a crime committed when he was just 16 years old.According to reports, Sina Paymard had been moved from Reja’i Shahr prison in Karaj to Tehran’s Evin prison for his execution to be carried out on 17 July. (more…)

Tehran, Iran, Jul. 22 – Iranian authorities hanged 12 people in Tehran on Sunday, the state broadcasting corporation IRIB reported on its website.

Tehran’s chief prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi announced that the 12 unnamed individuals were hanged earlier in the day.

He said their charges included kidnapping and drug trafficking.

Four other individuals were hanged in Tehran last week on similar charges, he added.

Iranian authorities routinely execute dissidents on bogus charges such as armed robbery and drug smuggling.

 Authorities in Iran’s northwestern Kurdistan Province have condemned two ethnic Kurds to death for acting against the country’s national security.

Their lawyers told Radio Farda that they will appeal their death sentences.

The trial has been accompanied by unconfirmed suggestions in the Iranian media that the two men — journalist Adnan Hassanpur and social activist Hiwa Butimar — were working with banned groups that oppose the government.

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IRAN

Islamic Republic of Iran

Head of state: Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
Head of government: President: Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Death penalty: retentionist
International Criminal Court: signed

The human rights situation deteriorated, with civil society facing increasing restrictions on fundamental freedoms of expression and association. Scores of political prisoners, including prisoners of conscience, continued to serve prison sentences imposed following unfair trials in previous years. Thousands more arrests were made in 2006, mostly during or following demonstrations. Human rights defenders, including journalists, students and lawyers, were among those detained arbitrarily without access to family or legal representation. Torture, especially during periods of pre-trial detention, remained commonplace. At least 177 people were executed, at least four of whom were under 18 at the time of the alleged offence, including one who was under 18 at the time of execution. Two people were reportedly stoned to death. Sentences of flogging, amputation and eye-gouging continued to be passed. The true numbers of those executed or subjected to corporal punishment were probably considerably higher than those reported. (more…)