Son of Sufi bus driver Mohammad Salas, who was executed on Monday, June 18, published a video message declaring that his father’s torture signs were covered by the prison’s agents before his hearings. He also mentioned that after his father’s execution, the body was secretly sent to the city of Boroujerd, western Iran, so that forensics could not conduct an autopsy to evaluate the signs of torture on the body and file a report. However, the judicial authorities, lied to the family that Salas has been buried in Bibi Sakineh.
Reports indicate the burial place of Mohammad Salas is in the siege of the security forces one day after the execution and funeral.
Ali Salas, in a video message assumed that armed forces, and security and intelligence guards were deployed in front of Rajaie Shahr Prison, blocking both sides of the streets leading to the prison at the night of the execution.
He stated that the family was told that the execution will be carried out on Wednesday. They were outside the prison and suddenly got informed that their father’s body is being buried by the state security forces in Darolsalam Cemetery in his hometown of Boroujerd, Lorestan Province.
Ali Salas said that his father had been tortured and every time his father bended his head, stiches were seen and before every court hearing the officials covered the stiches so no one could see the tortures.
Yavar Mohammad Salas, a 51-year-old Sufi member of the Gonabadi Dervish community in Iran was condemned allegedly for the murder of three policemen during a clash on February 19, 2018. He was sentenced to death on April 24, by the Supreme Court regardless existence of evidence showing his innocence.
Mohammad Salas was executed inside the solitary confinement unit at dawn on Monday June 18, at Rajaei Shar prison of Karaj, west of Tehran.
The execution has sparked a wave of outrage inside Iran and abroad.
In response to the execution Amnesty International on the same day said: “The Iranian authorities have a deplorable track record when it comes to the use of the death penalty. This execution is a travesty of justice that is abhorrent and unconscionable. It flies in the face of the huge public outcry in the country and is vengeance, not justice.”
“Mohammad Salas’ trial was grossly unfair. He said he was forced under torture to make a ‘confession’ against himself. This ‘confession’, taken from his hospital bed, was broadcast on state television weeks before his trial and used as the only piece of evidence to convict him. He was not allowed access to his chosen lawyer at any point before or during his trial, and his independent lawyer’s repeated demands to the authorities to allow critical evidence indicating his innocence were dismissed outright,” AI further added.
U.S. Department of State condemned the Iranian government’s execution calling on its partners and allies around the world to join in condemning the brutal and unjust execution of Mr. Salas at the hands of the Iranian regime.
