An Iranian demonstrator finds himself in a distressing state of uncertainty as his scheduled execution is delayed unexpectedly. Erfan Sultani, a local shop owner from Fardis near Tehran, faced imminent hanging on January 14. However, following an intervention by US President Trump, his death penalty has been postponed temporarily by the Iranian authorities. Despite this, the regime has warned of severe consequences for “rioters” amidst ongoing anti-government protests in the country.
Internet services in Iran have been suspended to control the protests, but human rights organizations and Sultani’s relatives confirm that his execution has been put on hold. The 26-year-old was arrested on January 8 and charged with moharebeh, a serious offense under Iranian law that is often used against individuals perceived as a threat to the ruling regime.
Sultani’s case has garnered global attention, with reports indicating a rushed one-hour trial where he was denied legal representation. His family was granted only a brief 10-minute farewell before his supposedly irreversible sentence. This development coincides with a surge in violent crackdowns on protestors, leading to numerous casualties.
Iran, alongside China, holds one of the highest rates of executions annually, with a shocking 1,922 death penalties carried out in Iran last year – double the previous year’s figures as reported by human rights groups. Amnesty International has criticized the unjust trials in Revolutionary Courts, highlighting broad and vaguely defined charges used to suppress dissent.
The method of execution in Iran primarily involves hanging, which is conducted in a torturous manner to prolong the suffering of the condemned. Other sanctioned forms of execution include stoning, firing squad, beheading, and throwing from heights. Notorious prisons like Ghezel Hesar, Raja’i Shahr, and Sanandaj are known for their barbaric executions carried out publicly, inflicting immense agony on the victims.
Criminal psychologist Alex Iszatt explains that Iran’s system is designed to inflict maximum psychological trauma on detainees and their families, creating a culture of fear to maintain control. The sudden and cruel nature of executions serves as a psychological weapon, instilling a sense of helplessness and fear in the population.
Despite international pressure leading to a decline in stoning sentences, prisons like Evin remain notorious for torture and inhumane conditions. Former hostages have described the appalling living conditions within these facilities, where inmates endure substandard food, overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and lack of proper medical care.
Anoosheh Ashoori, a former detainee, highlighted the psychological torment within Evin Prison, where chronic stress and mistreatment lead to conflicts among prisoners. Communication is heavily monitored, and detainees are subjected to constant surveillance and control by the authorities. The oppressive environment created by the regime aims to break the spirits of detainees and maintain dominance through fear and manipulation.