Execution of Iranian man arrested as juvenile postponed as Amnesty International appeals to save his life
Execution of Iranian man arrested as juvenile postponed as Amnesty International appeals to save his life
A young Iranian’s execution did not take place on the date scheduled on Monday.
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A vigil for the man was called by Amnesty International in May [Getty]
The execution of a young Iranian arrested as a teenager did not take place on Monday as scheduled, according to Amnesty International who issued a plea for the man's life and condemned his "grossly unfair trial".
Hossein Shahbazi, a 20-year-old who was arrested aged 17 following a group fight in which one person died, was due to be executed on Monday.
Although the execution did not take place Shahbazi's request for a retrial made eight days ago to Iran’s Supreme Court is still pending, according to the human rights organisation.
"Amnesty International continues to call on the Iranian authorities to quash Hossein’s conviction and sentence," Nassim Papayianni, a senior campaigner on Iran for Amnesty International, told The New Arab.
We want them "to grant him a fair retrial in accordance with the principle of juvenile justice", said Papayianni.
@Khamenei_fa: “Stop #HosseinShahbazi's execution, and quash his conviction & sentence! You are breaking international law by sentencing children to death”
— Amnesty Toronto Iran Action Circle (@aiiactoronto) June 24, 2021
He is at imminent risk of execution in #Iran. He was just 17 years old when arrested. #SaveHossein pic.twitter.com/ncWdNNtSRZ
Shahbazi's confession was obtained by torture, Amnesty said in their statement issued last week. He was also denied access to a lawyer and his family for 11 days after his arrest.
Sources close to his case said Shahbazi had bruises on his face and appeared to have lost weight when visits to see him in detention were allowed.
"Going ahead with this execution would be an abhorrent assault on children's rights and would make an absolute mockery of justice," said Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International’s Middle East deputy director.
In 2020, at least four juvenile offenders were executed by Iranian authorities, according to the World Coalition Against The Death Penalty in violation of Iran’s commitment to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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