NewsNation – 6 women on death row as regime continues to execute protesters
Several Iranian women have been sentenced to death by the Islamic regime as the humanitarian crisis grows in the totalitarian nation.
An Iranian refugee who spoke to NewsNation under the condition of anonymity for safety told NewsNation the possible execution of these women is a signal from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to deter any further dissent from citizens.
“They have been sentenced to death, and it is very likely that they will be executed soon without the international media or the rest of the world noticing or paying much attention. With so many major events happening around the world, the authorities continue executing protesters to instill fear, threaten others, and send the message that this is what happens to anyone who opposes the regime,” the refugee said.
“The execution of women creates even greater fear in society because many people assume that women will be shown mercy or treated with compassion. However, that is not how the regime operates,” they added.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported six imprisoned Iranian women are on death row awaiting “imminent” execution as political prisoners being held in Evin Prison in Tehran and prisons in Rasht. Three of the women were detained for participating in the January protests that resulted in a massacre of thousands of people including children.
The six women are Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, Pakhshan Azizi, Nasimeh Eslamzehi, Maryam Hodavand Siri, Arghavan Fallahi and Mahnaz Chardoli. Two other women, Varisheh Moradi and Bita Hemmati, could possibly have their death sentences renewed leading to execution.
According to Hengaw findings, “Iranian authorities have prosecuted all eight women on political and security-related charges without presenting clear or credible evidence and through proceedings that failed to meet fair trial standards. Their cases have relied on forced confessions obtained under torture.”
Iranian protesters tortured and raped ahead of executions
Iranian sources told NewsNation in February many protesters who have been captured by the regime’s police forces are being viciously tortured and raped in prison before being executed.
The refugee detailed the probable heinous beatings and possible rape the jailed women could be enduring as they wait for death by hanging.
“These women have been sentenced to death and are waiting on death row. They have endured extreme physical and psychological torture, prolonged interrogations, and coercion to extract forced or fabricated confessions that have been used to justify their death sentences. They have been denied fair trials, meaningful access to independent lawyers, regular communication with their families and loved ones, and, in many cases, adequate medical care.”
The refugee added, “Many have also been subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, humiliation, threats and relentless psychological abuse. They have been stripped of the most basic legal protections and fundamental human rights, while living each day under the certainty that the state intends to execute them.”
This week United Nations human rights chief Volker Tuerk said, “I am alarmed by the rise in executions and death sentences issued in Iran since March, and that capital punishment continues to be used to instill fear among the population and suppress dissent.”
The refugee stated human rights groups are imploring family members of political prisoners to speak out so the international community is aware of their dire circumstances, but there are potential lethal consequences.
“Social and political activists are urging the families of those who have been arrested to speak out internationally, inform news organizations, and contact human rights groups and activists so they can take action to help stop the legal proceedings and possible executions,” they said.
“However, many families are afraid to make their loved ones’ cases public because they have reportedly been threatened by the authorities. They fear that if they bring international attention to the case, their loved one will be executed immediately,” the refugee also said.
On Jan. 13 President Donald Trump encouraged protesters to keep up their fight against the regime, and in April he claimed he had halted the execution of eight women. However, some of the women could face execution, including protester Bita Hemmati.
Iranian refugee, Rayan Amiri, founding leader of the Conservative Party of Iran, told NewsNation that Trump has let down the January protesters and political prisoners.
“President Trump bluffed again, these Iranian protesters are still at risk and on the verge of execution, but the number of women who are still at risk of execution is not exactly clear because of the lack of transparency in the judicial system of the Islamist regime occupying Iran, and also their identity of some of them is not clear since some are getting executed without much disclosure to the media and public; their families are being terrorized to be silent, and it’s done in a horrifying style in silence,” Amiri said.
It is a crime against humanity; these executions are done with no due process and just to terrorize the Iranian people to silence them and prevent the next uprising,” he also said.
A U.S. official told NewsNation, “The Iranian people deserve peace and security. Their economy is in freefall, and they are facing massive food shortages and price hikes as a result of their government’s mismanagement. Iran’s leaders have a chance to make tough decisions that will ultimately benefit the Iranian people and bring them prosperity.”
In July, NewsNation reported the Islamic Republic of Iran is set on “eliminating” arrested anti-regime protesters through executions.
According to Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, 109 prisoners in Iran were executed in June, “including 5 political prisoners,” and “three women have been executed in Iranian prisons last month.”
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported this week from “between June 27 and July 4, at least five women facing political charges in Iran received court verdicts amounting to one death sentence and a total of 14 years’ imprisonment. Among them, Arghavan Fallahi was sentenced to death, while Elham Zeraatpisheh, Parnian (Fatemeh) Hashempour, Azadeh Saleki and Negin Kiani were sentenced to prison terms.”
The Iranian refugee said roughly 260 children were killed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps during the protests, and they believe the new estimate of total lives lost overall is closer to 50,000.