Mokhtar Sadeghi and Houshang Amirzadeh have been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions in Qazvin Central Prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were transferred to solitary confinement on June 6, in preparation for their imminent executions. Their identities have been established as Mokhtar Sadeghi and Houshang Amirzadeh. Houshang was sentenced to death for drug-related charges and Mokhtar sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.
An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Houshang Amirzadeh was arrested for drug-related charges around three years ago and sentenced to death. Mokkhtar Sadeghi was accused of killing a pick-up truck driver who had attempted to rape him. In court, he said he had thrown a stone at the victim to defend himself against rape which had caused his death.”
Their executions are expected to be carried out in the coming days.
It is worth noting that Article 156 of the Islamic Penal Code provides a defence against rape which is regularly ignored. Those charged with the umbrella term of “intentional murder” are sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) regardless of intent or circumstances due to a lack of grading in law. Once a defendant has been convicted, the victim’s family are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.
Source » shabtabnews