As the wave of executions intensifies across Iranian prisons, two Sunni prisoners in Zahedan Prison—Emanullah Balochi and Molavi Hafiz Abdulrahim Kohi—are facing an imminent risk of execution. These two men have been in detention since 2015, and informed sources have confirmed that their death sentences have been finalized by judicial authorities, making their execution possible at any moment.
Arrest and Charges
Emanullah Balochi, born on August 24, 1990, and a native of Sarbaz County in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, was arrested in 2015 and sentenced to death on charges of “connection with opposition groups” and “acting against national security.”
Molavi Hafiz Abdulrahim Kohi, 36 years old and a resident of the village of Padig in the Sarbaz region, was arrested by security forces in October 2015. He faces similar charges, including “rebellion (baghi)” and “membership in opposition groups.”
Trial and Human Rights Concerns
In September 2019, the Revolutionary Court of Zahedan sentenced both Sunni clerics to 10 years of discretionary imprisonment and execution on charges of “enmity against God (moharebeh)” and “membership in opposition groups.”
However, defense attorneys and sources close to the families assert that neither of the men accepted the charges, and that their confessions were extracted under torture, physical and psychological pressure, and outside the bounds of a fair legal process.
Despite the fact that both defendants were recognized Sunni clerics teaching at the Manba-ol-Olum seminary in Koohvan, they were tried in the Revolutionary Court rather than the Special Clerical Court, which legally holds jurisdiction over clergy. This procedural deviation has been met with strong objection from human rights activists and members of the Sunni community.
Political Leverage and Hostage Concerns
A source familiar with the case reported that interrogators unofficially stated that if three other individuals associated with the case—who are currently outside Iran—return to the country, the death sentences might be revoked. This has raised serious concerns that the prisoners are being used as political leverage or hostages to exert pressure on others.
Unclear Status and Violation of Basic Rights
Emanullah Balochi and Abdulrahim Kohi are currently being held under severe restrictions in Zahedan Prison. Reports indicate that they have been denied access to their chosen legal representation, and in-person visits with their families have been severely limited. The families have expressed deep concern over the fate of their loved ones, especially given the recent reports of unannounced and sudden executions carried out in Iran’s prisons.
