Ghobadlou’s execution, linked to his participation in anti-regime protests, has drawn widespread international condemnation.
Ghobadlou was arrested in Tehran during the nationwide uprisings of October 2022. These protests were a direct response to the killing of Mahsa Amini by the regime’s security forces for allegedly violating hijab rules. Charged with the murder of a member of the regime’s repressive forces, Ghobadlou’s trial was marred by human rights abuses.
Ghobadlou faced the grave charge of “Corruption on Earth,” and despite a flawed judicial process and a lack of credible evidence, he was sentenced to death. His confessions, reportedly obtained under torture, were pivotal in this sentencing.
The international community, including various human rights organizations, made fervent appeals to revoke the death sentence. Amnesty International highlighted the torture and secretive nature of Ghobadlou’s trial. Iranian opposition President-elect Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), urged the UN for immediate intervention, stressing the urgency of the situation for Ghobadlou and other political prisoners like Farhad Salimi.
Despite these calls, the Iranian regime upheld the sentence. Ghobadlou’s lawyer contested the legality of the sentence, even by the standards of Iran’s own laws. On the eve of the execution, a rally was held outside Ghezel Hesar prison, demanding a halt to the execution, but to no avail.
The head of the judiciary must STOP the arbitrary execution of Mohamed Ghobadlou, suddenly & unlawfully scheduled for tomorrow. The case of this young man with a disability arrested in connection with the 2022 protests has been marred by torture and secretive proceedings. pic.twitter.com/NuGkb4YGg3
— Amnesty Iran (@AmnestyIran) January 22, 2024
The Iranian judiciary, justifying the execution under the controversial “Retribution in Kind” law, proceeded with the sentence. Ghobadlou’s death marks him as the ninth political prisoner executed in connection with the 2022 uprising. The last such execution was of Milad Zohrevand, aged 21, in Hamedan on November 23, 2023.
The 2022 uprising witnessed over 750 civilians killed by regime forces, with tens of thousands arrested. Many were sentenced to death. Reports of brutal torture, mistreatment, and forced drug-induced depression leading to suicide post-release have been widespread.
Mohammad Ghobadlou’s execution is not just an individual tragedy but a symbol of the ongoing struggle for human rights and justice in Iran. It underscores the regime’s unyielding stance against dissent, raising concerns about the fate of numerous other political prisoners still incarcerated.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
