Concerns Grow Over Imminent Execution Of Iranian Sunni Prisoner

Davoud Abdollahi, a Sunni prisoner sentenced to death, has been transferred to solitary confinement in Karaj near Tehran, a sign of imminent execution in Iran.

Abdollahi was moved to solitary confinement on Tuesday, heightening anxiety among his family and loved ones in light of his death sentence.

The Hengaw Human Rights Organization, a Kurdish rights group, expressed deep concern over the transfer and the imminent danger of his execution, calling for an "immediate halt to this action and a review of his case in line with international standards of justice."

Abdollahi was among a group of seven Sunni prisoners who were detained in 2009 and were transferred to the detention center of the intelligence agency in Urmia (Orumiyeh) City. They were transferred to Tehran several months later. They were tried in 2015, and subsequently sentenced to death. These sentences were confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2020, after years of legal battles. Two of Abdollahi’s co-defendants, Ayub Karimi and Qasem Abasteh, were hanged in November.

The charges against them include "War against God," "corruption on earth," "support for Salafi groups," and the alleged "murder" of Abdolrahim Tina, who was killed by unidentified assailants in September 2008. However, in letters published by human rights organizations in recent years, the accused consistently denied these accusations.

Ahmadreza Haeri, a political prisoner, wrote from prison, "The entire trial did not last more than two minutes. Judge Moghiseh said first, you are a Kurd! Second, you are Sunni! Third, you have Salafi beliefs! These are the three reasons for the execution."

Iran has hanged nearly 750 people this year alone, according to the latest report by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).