Kurdish Political Prisoner Naib Askari Sentenced to Death Again
Naib Askari, a Kurdish political prisoner hailing from Urmia, who had previously receive
Hengaw: Monday, October 23, 2023
Naib Askari, a Kurdish political prisoner hailing from Urmia, who had previously received a death sentence from the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, now faces another death sentence following his admission of guilt to a new charge.
As per the report obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Naib Askari, a 47-year-old Kurdish political prisoner, has been recently sentenced to death by the second branch of the Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges of "treason."
Hengaw has learned that on Monday, October 16, Naib Askari was summoned to the execution office at the Central Prison of Urmia, where the sentence was officially delivered to him in writing. It's worth noting that during the last hearing on September 27, this political prisoner was denied the right to legal representation.
Previously, this political prisoner had received a death sentence from the same branch of the Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges of "waging war against God" through his affiliation with the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK). The official communication of this sentence to his lawyer took place on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Naib Askari was once a member of the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK). However, following his separation from the party and obtaining a letter of protection from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he voluntarily reported to the IRGC's intelligence department in Urmia on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, which ultimately led to his arrest. His return to Iran with his family from Iraqi Kurdistan occurred five days before his arrest.
Hengaw had previously reported that the IRGC provided the letter of protection to Askari's family orally through one of Askari's relatives, without written documentation. However, now the authorities claim that no such letter was granted.
After three months of detention in solitary confinement at the intelligence detention center in Urmia, during which he suffered severe torture and assault, Naib Askari was transferred to the central prison of Urmia. Since then, he has been held in this prison without the right to take leave.
It is important to note that this political prisoner suffers from kidney stone disease and stomach issues. He had been admitted outside the prison for four days last year for the treatment of kidney stones. Unfortunately, the kidney problem has recurred due to the inadequacy of the prison's drinking water, and he continues to endure severe pain and kidney damage without access to necessary medical services.
At the time of his arrest, Naib Askari's wife was pregnant, yet his unique family circumstances and illness were not considered, resulting in his continuous denial of rights. In protest against these injustices, he embarked on two hunger strikes in Urmia central prison over the past two years.
