“International Death Penalty News 2024: Iranian Victim Taher Davabi Executed for Work-Related Killing”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : International Death Penalty News 2024 Issue 01: Iran, Japan, Pakistan, Qatar, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, United States

Throughout 2023, Iran carried out a staggering number of executions, with at least 850 individuals put to death. This has raised concerns about the treatment of prisoners, the use of executions to silence dissent, and the lack of access to legal representation. The number of executions in 2023 marks an increase from the 578 executions carried out in 2022.

One of the executed individuals was Taher Davabi, a 43-year-old man who was convicted of killing a co-worker three years ago. He was sentenced to qisas, which is retribution in kind under Iranian law. The law does not recognize different degrees of murder and rarely takes mitigating evidence into account. However, the execution of Taher Davabi has not been officially reported by state officials or the media.

Another individual, Najibollah Dahmardeh, was executed in Ghaemshahr Prison. Najibollah, an ethnic Baluch minority, was convicted and executed on drug-related charges. His family was not informed about his pending execution, depriving them of a final visit. Similarly, state officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

In Arabil Central Prison, six unnamed prisoners were executed on drug-related charges. The details of their cases have not been disclosed by state media. Additionally, Farzad Golmohammadi, a 32-year-old man convicted of murder, was executed in Sanandaj Central Prison. Like the previous cases, state officials and the media have not reported this execution.

Mohammad Saleh Amini, a 35-year-old man, was executed in Taybad Prison for drug-related charges. He used to work on a chicken farm before his arrest. However, his execution has not been reported by state officials or the media.

Shirali Saeedi, a 36-year-old butcher, and Saman Mogooee, a 31-year-old man, were executed in Dastgerd Prison. Both were convicted on drug-related charges. Khodakaram Lorestan, 50, and Hossein Mousivand, 40, were executed in Khorram Abad Central Prison, also on drug-related charges.

In Sanandaj Central Prison, 35-year-old Mohammadreza Mehraban was executed for murder. Like previous cases, state officials and the media have not reported this execution.

Karim Aminikhah, a 65-year-old man, was executed in Bandarabbas Central Prison for drug-related charges. He was arrested five years ago, and his execution has not been reported by state officials or the media.

Reza Eyvazi, a 30-year-old man, was executed in Kashan Prison for drug-related charges. His execution has not been reported by state officials or the media. Similarly, Hassan Rahbar, a 36-year-old man, was executed in Gorgan Central Prison for drug-related charges, with no official reports.

On December 29, 2023, four individuals convicted of working for Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, were executed in Iran. Vafa Hanareh, Aram Omari, Rahman Parhazo, and Nasim Namazi were executed, possibly in retaliation for the killing of Senior Iranian General Sayyed Razi Mousavi in Syria on Christmas Day.

Ramin Faghiri, a 27-year-old man, was executed in Hamedan Central Prison for drug-related charges. His execution has not been reported by state officials or the media.

In Urmia Central Prison, Vafa Hanareh, Aram Omari Bardiani, Rahman Parhazu, and Nasim Namazi were executed for “moharebeh (enmity against god) and efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) through collaborating with the Zionist regime to disrupt national security.”

Davood Abdollahi, a political prisoner and Sunni Kurd from Mahabad, was executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison. Abdollahi, arrested in 2009, was allegedly tortured into making a confession, resulting in his death sentence. He was convicted of “undermining national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “corruption on Earth.” He was on a hunger strike at the time of his execution.

In Japan, for the first time in three years, no executions were carried out in 2023. Currently, there are 106 people on death row in Japan. The last execution took place on July 26, 2022.

In Pakistan, Anwar Masih, a Christian, was sentenced to death for blasphemy. Anwar was accused by a police officer of making remarks against the Prophet Muhammad, a crime punishable by death. Anwar, who is not a Muslim, was upset to discover that his wife and daughter had secretly converted to Islam. His family members were told to convert or face execution. Many of his family members, including some of his children, are now in hiding due to threats against their lives.

In Qatar, eight former Indian naval officers had their death sentences commuted by a court. The charges against them have not been officially reported, but it is believed that they were accused of spying. The exact details of their reduced sentences are unknown.

The death penalty remains a controversial topic in Taiwan. During a presidential debate, candidates discussed their views on the death penalty. While some candidates were open to abolishing it, they acknowledged that public support for the death penalty remains strong. Alternative punishments would need to be established before considering abolition.

In Saudi Arabia, four individuals were executed by beheading on December 31, 2023, for murder. Throughout the year, Saudi Arabia executed at least 170 individuals, representing an increase from previous years.

In the United States, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills ruled that death row inmate Terry Pitchford must be given a new trial. Pitchford argued that the prosecution discriminated against Black jurors during his initial trial, preventing them from being chosen as jury members. Judge Mills noted the former District Attorney’s history of discriminating against jurors of color and ordered the state to retry Pitchford within six months or release him from custody.

In North Carolina, the Supreme Court ruled against granting a new trial to death row inmate Russell William Tucker. Tucker, who is Black, was convicted of murder in 1996..