In recent weeks, a new wave of concern has surged among human rights organizations and families regarding the condition of three political prisoners sentenced to death: Farshad Etemadifar, Masoud Jamei, and Alireza Mardasi. These individuals, along with two other defendants in a joint case, have been prosecuted on charges such as “corruption on earth” and “membership in anti-government groups.” The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz has sentenced them to harsh punishments, including the death penalty twice. These sentences were handed down despite defense attorneys having filed appeals.
Lack of Transparency in Trial and Torture for Forced Confessions
According to credible reports, their arrests involved gross violations of fundamental rights. During interrogation at the Yasuj Intelligence Detention Center, they were subjected to severe physical and psychological torture. Sources close to the families emphasize that not only were they denied access to legal counsel, but the confessions attributed to them were extracted under pressure, without adherence to the principles of a fair trial, and were used as the primary basis for sentencing.
Masoud Jamei: A Sick Prisoner in Critical Physical Condition Under Extreme Pressure
The condition of Masoud Jamei, an Arab activist from the village of Shakhkoupal in Ahvaz, is described as more critical than the other defendants. He was subjected to intense torture at the time of arrest and was further pressured through the arrest of his wife and children. Zainab Hazbapour (his wife) and his three children—Nahid, Dalal, and Roghayeh—were summoned and arrested by the Revolutionary Court of Bavi County on charges such as “connection with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).” These actions are clearly seen as an attempt to pressure Mr. Jamei into making forced confessions.
Additionally, Masoud Jamei suffers from serious health conditions including stomach cancer, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and internal infections. Despite repeated requests from the family for his transfer to medical centers, no medical attention has yet been provided—an omission that could endanger his life in prison.
Other Defendants: Harsh Sentences Without a Fair Trial
Farshad Etemadifar, a young man from the village of Pichab in Basht County, was arrested in June 2023 along with Saman and Davood Hormatnejad and Mahan Sajjadi. Later, Alireza Mardasi, a teacher residing in the Abuzar neighborhood of Ahvaz, was also added to the case. The severe sentences in this case—including double death penalties for the three main defendants and long-term prison sentences for the others—were issued in a judicial environment devoid of fairness and legal transparency. The trials were held behind closed doors, without the presence of independent lawyers or impartial observers.
