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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A group of 229 lawyers from Iran are petitioning against the impending death sentences of three “political prisoners,” two of whom are Kurdish and one Turk, urging they get a fair retrial, read a statement by the lawyers received by the Rudaw on Monday.
The three prisoners facing death sentences are Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha (Varisheh) Moradi, both Kurdish, and Sharifeh Mohammadi, a Turk.
The petition, expected to be sent to Iran’s Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei on Tuesday, demands an “immediate halt” to the implementation of Azizi’s execution, insisting that her case be granted “a fair, impartial and transparent review.”
The lawyers further emphasized the importance of “ensuring the legal rights” of Mohammadi and Moradi “in their appeal against the death sentences” issued against them. They argue that the sentences are not “verdicts of justice” but rather “rushed decisions stemming from a process mired in ambiguities.”
Azizi, a Kurdish aid worker, is accused by the Iranian authorities of having alleged ties to Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, which are designated as terrorist organizations by Iran. Her lawyer denies the accusation, stressing Pakhshan worked in refugee camps in regions targeted by the Islamic State (ISIS).
Meanwhile, Moradi was sentenced to death in November by a Tehran court on charges of “armed insurrection” and for allegedly being a member of the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) group, also blacklisted by Iran.
Mohammadi, a labor activist from Rasht, was sentenced to death in July 2024 on charges of armed rebellion, ‘Baghi.’ She was additionally accused of being a member in an organization seen by the Rasht Revolutionary Court as close to the Komala Party, which Iran also considers a terrorist group.
The lawyers argued that proceeding with the executions “would harm the entire nation” and could have “irreversible consequences,” including the “reinforcement of discrimination against the Kurdish community.”
Describing Azizi, Mohammadi and Moradi as “political prisoners,” the lawyers called for the prisoners to be tried “in accordance with legal standards and human rights values.” They also warned against any haste implementation of the death sentences stressing that it would be “in violation of the defendant's right to defense and appeal.”
Of particular concern, Azizi’s lawyer in early February reported that Iran’s Supreme Court rejected her request for a retrial, putting her at imminent risk of execution. Amnesty International condemned the decision, calling it a violation of Azizi’s right to a fair trial.
Iran’s use of the death penalty has drawn widespread international criticism. The country executed 909 prisoners in 2024, marking a nine percent increase over the previous year. According to a February statement by Hengaw Human Rights Organization, Kurds accounted for 20 percent of those executed.
Iran ranks second globally for known executions, and human rights organizations have repeatedly highlighted the use of the death penalty as a tool to suppress minority groups, including Kurds and Baluchis, who were active in the 2022 Jin Jiyan Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom, Protests).
Nasr Piroti contributed to this article.
The three prisoners facing death sentences are Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha (Varisheh) Moradi, both Kurdish, and Sharifeh Mohammadi, a Turk.
The petition, expected to be sent to Iran’s Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei on Tuesday, demands an “immediate halt” to the implementation of Azizi’s execution, insisting that her case be granted “a fair, impartial and transparent review.”
The lawyers further emphasized the importance of “ensuring the legal rights” of Mohammadi and Moradi “in their appeal against the death sentences” issued against them. They argue that the sentences are not “verdicts of justice” but rather “rushed decisions stemming from a process mired in ambiguities.”
Azizi, a Kurdish aid worker, is accused by the Iranian authorities of having alleged ties to Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, which are designated as terrorist organizations by Iran. Her lawyer denies the accusation, stressing Pakhshan worked in refugee camps in regions targeted by the Islamic State (ISIS).
Meanwhile, Moradi was sentenced to death in November by a Tehran court on charges of “armed insurrection” and for allegedly being a member of the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) group, also blacklisted by Iran.
Mohammadi, a labor activist from Rasht, was sentenced to death in July 2024 on charges of armed rebellion, ‘Baghi.’ She was additionally accused of being a member in an organization seen by the Rasht Revolutionary Court as close to the Komala Party, which Iran also considers a terrorist group.
The lawyers argued that proceeding with the executions “would harm the entire nation” and could have “irreversible consequences,” including the “reinforcement of discrimination against the Kurdish community.”
Describing Azizi, Mohammadi and Moradi as “political prisoners,” the lawyers called for the prisoners to be tried “in accordance with legal standards and human rights values.” They also warned against any haste implementation of the death sentences stressing that it would be “in violation of the defendant's right to defense and appeal.”
Of particular concern, Azizi’s lawyer in early February reported that Iran’s Supreme Court rejected her request for a retrial, putting her at imminent risk of execution. Amnesty International condemned the decision, calling it a violation of Azizi’s right to a fair trial.
Iran’s use of the death penalty has drawn widespread international criticism. The country executed 909 prisoners in 2024, marking a nine percent increase over the previous year. According to a February statement by Hengaw Human Rights Organization, Kurds accounted for 20 percent of those executed.
Iran ranks second globally for known executions, and human rights organizations have repeatedly highlighted the use of the death penalty as a tool to suppress minority groups, including Kurds and Baluchis, who were active in the 2022 Jin Jiyan Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom, Protests).
Nasr Piroti contributed to this article.
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