Iranian authorities have executed Amirhossein Khatami, an 18-year-old musician. The young man was sentenced for the crime of "moharebeh," which translates as an act of hostility against God, a charge that carries the death penalty in the Iranian penal system. Khatami was arrested on January 8 on charges of participating in the arson of a Basij paramilitary organization building in Tehran during anti-government protests. During his pre-trial detention, he was reportedly held in isolation for weeks, while footage of his interrogation was broadcast on state television.
Media reports state that Amnesty International condemned the execution, calling it arbitrary and arguing that the process was extremely unjust, as the sentence was handed down less than a month after his arrest. The organization highlighted the use of forced confessions and violations of fundamental guarantees for a fair trial.
At the same time, concerns have been raised about the fate of other prisoners facing the death penalty. According to information from human rights organizations, four other men—19-year-old Mohammad Amin Biglari, 23-year-old Ali Fahim, 51-year-old Abolfazl Salehi Siaëasani, and 30-year-old Shaheen Vahedparast Kolor—have been transferred to solitary confinement ahead of their execution.
Mahmoud Amiri-Mogadam, Iran’s Director of Human Rights, stated that Khatami’s execution was carried out after an extremely unfair trial and based on forced confessions, noting that recent executions of protesters and political prisoners demonstrate an intensification of repression.
According to human rights organizations, dozens of other prisoners face the imminent risk of execution in the coming period, while concerns have been raised that international attention is primarily focused on geopolitical developments, leaving allegations of human rights violations within the country in the background.