Two prisoners executed in Mahabad Central Prison on charges of rape

Hengaw: Monday, January 6, 2025

The death sentences of two Kurdish prisoners from Sardasht, identified as Ali Atin and Reza Seyedi, who had been sentenced to death on charges of “rape,” were carried out in Mahabad Central Prison.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, at dawn on Monday, January 6, 2025, the death sentences of Ali Atin, 28, and Reza Seyedi, 48, were carried out in Mahabad Central Prison. Both men were residents of Sardasht, West Azerbaijan (Urmia) Province.

Hengaw has learned that in the days leading up to their execution, both prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for the implementation of their sentences. They were also permitted a final meeting with their families the day before their execution.

A reliable source reported that the two individuals had been arrested three years ago on charges of rape and were jointly sentenced to death by the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It is noteworthy that their arrests followed pressure and exposés by civil rights and women’s rights activists in Sardasht, who revealed the criminal activities of a group involved in the sexual assault of women. On Saturday, September 25, 2021, a group of women activists staged a protest at “Sar Cheshmeh Square” in Sardasht, condemning the assaults and expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.

According to a prior Hengaw report quoting a protest participant, “Colonel Bahari came to the protesters and claimed that three members of this group had been arrested.” The protesters, however, demanded a fair trial and warned that protests would continue if justice was not served.

To date, the news of the execution of these prisoners has not been announced by state media or outlets affiliated with the judiciary.