Tehran’s deputy prosecutor requests execution for a middle-aged man accused of drinking alcohol
23-June-2021
Category: Uncategorized
22-June-2021
Newsgroup: Execution –
Breathing in Confinement: Deputy prosecutor of the Criminal Court 1 in Tehran, requested a death penalty for a middle-aged man because of drinking alcohol. Previously also the defendant had been arrested three times on charge of drinking alcohol for which he had inflicted 240 lashes.
According to “Breathing in Confinement” quoting Iran newspaper, the middle-aged man, who was arrested for the fourth time on charge of drinking alcohol, stood trial and faced a death penalty requested by deputy prosecutor.
As per the report, the case was opened in late March this year, when the defendant’s neighbors called the police and complained against him. Then the police officers went to the defendant’s home and arrested him after his alcohol test resulted positive. The defendant however, denied drinking alcohol and clashed with police at the police station. Afterward, the police investigated his background, and it turned out that he had been previously arrested three more times for drinking alcohol for which had been flogged each time.
Thus, an indictment was issued, and the case was referred to the Branch 4 of the Criminal Court of Tehran. At the beginning of the hearing, the deputy prosecutor said: “Given that the defendant is being convicted of drinking alcohol for the fourth time, and that he had previously received 3 flogging sentences, as per the law, I request a death penalty for him because of drinking alcohol for the fourth time.” He then added that: “The accused should also be punished for cursing and insulting the police officers as well as vandalizing the police station.”
Then the defendant denying drinking alcohol, said: “I admit that I have been arrested three times before for being drunk on the street, but each time I have been punished and inflicted 80 lashes. However, this time when my neighbors called the police, I was alone at home and just watching TV loudly. I had not drunk alcohol and I plead not guilty and I clashed with police because I was innocent.”
Then his lawyer argued in his defense: “A very little amount of alcohol had been detected in my client’s blood which could simply be due to the machine error.” He continued: “There also, are some evidence showing that the neighbors have complained against my client because of their previous disputes. I therefore, request his acquittal.”
At the end of the hearing, Judges announced that their decision would be released later.
Requesting and even implementing death penalties for drinking alcohol is precedented in Iran. The deputy prosecutor had previously also requested a death penalty for a 73-year-old retired pilot on the same charge. However, the retired pilot was eventually acquitted and released by Branch 9 of Tehran Criminal Court.