Clashes Between Protesters and Security Forces Following Executions in Ahvaz

The execution of two brothers at Sepidar Prison in Khuzestan province have been described as an attempt to divert attention away from judicial misconduct in a case dating back to 2015. Further executions are also due to take place imminently.

At dawn on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, the death sentences of 45-year-old Ali Mohammadi and 38-year-old Eslam Mohammadi were carried out in Sepidar Prison located in Ahvaz, Khuzestan.

Soon after the deaths, their mother suffered a heart attack and also died, according to the Hengaw News website. It said the deceased woman was from Ramhormoz county in Khuzestan province.

The events sparked unrest, prompting clashes between protesting citizens and security forces. At least five people were injured, and authorities detained dozens of people. Following the violence, there was a strong security presence in the area, and locals reported that the internet had been cut off.

The two brothers, along with several other residents of Ramhormoz, were arrested after clashes between security forces and two tribal groups that took place in June 2015 in the nearby village of Patak Jalali.

But locals say there was no evidence to prove the charges against the two brothers and the recent executions in Sepidar Prison were a cynical attempt on behalf of the judiciary to acquit the security forces in the case.

At least 23 people were killed in the 2015 clashes between the Mohammadi and Mohammad Musaei tribes, which had been described as a mass brawl. According to witnesses from the village, most of the deaths were a result of security forces opening fire against the crowd, not the violence between the two tribes.

One villager posted a video of the clashes on social media while it was still ongoing.

According to Hengaw News, Alireza Ghaseminejad, the prosecutor of Ramhormoz, is directly responsible for the execution of the two brothers, and eight more people are due to be executed over the next few days.

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