UN High Commissioner alarmed at execution sentence in Iran

Staff Writer

9 years ago

NCRI – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Wednesday expressed alarm at the imposition of the death penalty on Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of a spiritual movement, writer and practitioner of alternative medicine theories used in Iran and abroad.

Mr. Taheri was sentenced to death on Saturday by the regime’s court on a charge of “Fesad fel Arz” (corruption on earth).

“Iran’s use of the death penalty has long been problematic, with many executions on drug offences, several executions of people who were below the age of 18 when the crime was committed, as well as other cases where broad, ill-defined charges led to the imposition of capital punishment,” Zeid said.

“Taheri’s multiple convictions on a variety of vague charges, his alleged detention in solitary confinement and now his sentencing to death bring into stark focus serious issues with the administration of justice and the terribly worrying use of the death penalty in Iran.”

“I call on the Iranian authorities to immediately withdraw the charges against Taheri and ensure his unconditional release. For an individual to be sentenced to death for peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, religion or belief is an absolute outrage – and a clear violation of international human rights law,” High Commissioner Zeid said.

“Iran has reportedly executed more than 600 individuals so far this year. Last year, at least 753 people were executed in the country,” said a statement by the Office of the High Commissioner.

High Commissioner Zeid urged the regime in Iran to “immediately impose a moratorium on all executions.”