Death Sentences Issued for Six Political Detainees in the Ekbatan Town Case
15-November-2024
Category: executions، protesters
November 14, 2024
News Category: Protests – Executions
Breathing in Confinement: On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, six political prisoners arrested during the 2022 uprising, known as the Ekbatan Town case, were sentenced to death by Branch 13 of Tehran’s Criminal Court.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, the six defendants convicted in this case are: Alireza Kafaee, Hossein Nemati, Navid Najaran, Milad Armoon, Alireza Barmarzpoornak, and Amir Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal. The sentences were issued by Branch 13 of Tehran’s Criminal Court, presided over by judicial advisors, who ruled in favor of qisas (retribution in kind). However, the head of the court opposed the death sentence, issuing a minority opinion. The verdicts are subject to appeal.
The final defense hearings for the accused were held on November 2 and 3, 2024. On November 3, the final defense for Hossein Nemati, Alireza Barmarzpoornak, Alireza Kafaee, and Amir Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal was conducted in Branch 13 of the Criminal Court of Tehran. Following the session, they were detained and transferred to Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. Similarly, on November 2, the final defense hearing for other defendants, including Milad Armoon, Seyed Mohammad Mahdi Hosseini, Mehdi Imani, and Navid Najaran, was held, and they were also transferred to Qezel Hesar Prison.
The charges against these individuals include “participation in murder and intentional assault.” During the investigation, some of the accused, such as Milad Armoon, Seyed Mohammad Mahdi Hosseini, Mehdi Imani, and Navid Najaran, were classified under a separate “confidential” case. Their files were eventually referred to Branch 13 of Tehran’s Criminal Court and Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.
The case stems from nationwide protests in November 2022, during which a Basij member named Arman Ali-Verdi was killed in Ekbatan Town. Following this incident, over 50 young residents of the town were arrested. Out of these detainees, 14 were formally charged with offenses, including “waging war against God” (moharebeh), “participation in intentional murder,” and “disturbing public order and peace.” In May 2023, the judiciary’s spokesperson announced charges of moharebeh through the use of cold weapons and actions against national security for three defendants in connection with Ali-Verdi’s death.
Video evidence circulated in state media shows Tehran’s police chief attempting to extract forced confessions from Milad Armoon, who denies the charges even while under the pressure.
The case was expedited in mid-October 2024 after four court sessions and was not sent back for further investigation. Branch 13 of Tehran’s Criminal Court proceeded with the trial, alongside parallel proceedings in Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court under Judge Salavati.
In February 2024, four of the defendants—Hossein Nemati, Alireza Barmarzpoornak, Alireza Kafaee, and Amir Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal—were temporarily released on bail.
Since the start of the protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, the Islamic Republic has executed nine protestors, including Mohammad Mehdi Karami, Mohammad Qobadlou, Mohsen Shekari, Majidreza Rahnavard, Mohammad Hosseini, Saleh Mirhashmi, Saeed Yaqubi, Majid Kazemi, and Milad Zohrevand.