Asadollah Faramarzi

The execution of Mr. Asadollah Faramarzi was reported by the correspondent of the Kayhan daily in Aligudarz and the correspondent of Pars News Agency in Qom (October 4, 1979). The Enqelab Eslami daily of October 4 published the Pars News Agency report. The validity of the criminal charges brought against this defendant cannot be ascertained in the absence of the basic guarantees of a fair trial. International human rights organizations have drawn attention to reports indicating that the Islamic Republic’s authorities have brought trumped up charges against their political opponents and executed them for drug trafficking, sexual, and other criminal offences. Each year, Iranian authorities sentence to death hundreds of alleged common criminals, following judicial processes that fail to meet international standards. The exact number of people convicted based on trumped-up charges is unknown. Arrest and detention The circumstances of this defendant’s arrest and detention are not known. Trial The Kayhan report specified that Mr. Faramarzi’s trial at the Islamic Revolutionary Public Prosecution Office of Aligudarz was public and lasted 10 hours. Charges Mr. Faramarzi, referred to in the Kayhan report as “one of the prominent landowners of the Deh Haji and Kahriz region,” was charged with “violating people’s sexual honor”, “assault resulting in death”, and “creating terror among people.” Evidence of guilt The Kayhan report of this execution referred only to the “witnesses’ testimonies” as the evidence presented against the defendant. Defense The Kayhan report mentioned that Mr. Faramarzi’s defense was heard, but the nature and circumstances of the defense remain unknown. Judgment Mr. Faramarzi was sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out at 1 a.m., based on the Kayhan repor, or at 2:30 a.m., based on the Pars report.