Reports from Urmia Central Prison indicate that prison authorities have summoned three inmates and informed them that their amputation sentences will be carried out next month. This decision has sparked widespread concern among human rights organizations and civil society activists.
Identity of the Prisoners and Details of the Threat
According to available information, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, three prisoners named Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Shahivand, and Mehdi Sharifian were summoned to the prison’s sentence enforcement office. They were told that if they fail to obtain the plaintiffs’ consent, their amputation sentences will be executed next month.
Previous Executions of Similar Sentences
This is not the first time such sentences have been carried out in Urmia Prison. On October 29, 2024, two imprisoned brothers named Mehrdad and Shahab Teimouri underwent the amputation of their right-hand fingers under the supervision of judicial authorities and officials from the West Azerbaijan Prisons Organization. Reports indicate that after the execution of these sentences, the prisoners were transferred to Khomeini Hospital in Urmia.
Human Rights Concerns and the Increased Likelihood of Similar Sentences
Human rights activists have reported that a guillotine device used for carrying out these sentences has been transferred to Urmia Central Prison. This development has heightened concerns about the increased likelihood of amputations being carried out on other prisoners sentenced to similar punishments.
According to reports, five other prisoners are currently at risk of amputation. Their names are as follows:
- Mehdi Sharifian (42 years old)
- Hadi Rostami (38 years old)
- Mehdi Shahivand (47 years old)
- Kasra Karami (45 years old)
- Morteza Esmailian (48 years old)
These sentences have been issued and confirmed despite serious legal flaws in many of the cases. Nevertheless, it appears that the authorities are enforcing these rulings to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
