Islamic Republic Executes Man on Death Row for Three Decades

The authorities of the Islamic Republic have executed a man who had been on death row for 32 years.

Norway-based Iran Human Rights Organization reported that the 63-year-old man named Moein Salahvarzi was executed in Ilam Central Prison on March 11. 

Salahvarzi had spent 32 years on death row for the "intentional murder" of his brother.

Recounting the incident to Iran Human Rights Organization, his son said, "I was two years old when it happened. My dad was working on the farm that day; he had worked hard on that land for a year. My paternal uncle had told my dad that he had to give that year's harvest of wheat and straw to him," 

"My dad refused to be extorted and didn't give in. My uncle came and used vulgar language against my mother in front of the village, and my father shot him with a hunting rifle. 

"He didn't mean to kill his brother, he wanted to shoot at his leg but my uncle came forward. My uncle passed away on the way to the city hospital," the son added.

Judicial officials informed Moein Salahvarzi's family that his case had been lost. 

"We've followed up on his case so many times. In Tehran, they told us that his case had been lost at the Supreme Court," his son said. 

According to the Iran Human Rights Organization's report, the Islamic Republic executed approximately 834 people last year.

At least 282 individuals, including two minors and 15 women, were executed on murder charges last year.