Persian Report by | August 14, 2010

There are reports that in the past few days more than 70 people detained in Mashhad prison were executed suddenly and without prior notice. Based on the information available, prisoners under the age of 18 years were among the executed.

Based on reports by Neday-e Sabz Azadi, some of the people who were allegedly arrested in connection with drug smuggling had already received their sentences. The sentences issued did not include the death penalty, and in some cases, they had only been sentenced to pay a fine. But, in a sudden unannounced move, a judicial order was issued to execute them.

So far, the reason behind the execution ruling is not clear, however, there are speculations that the executions were carried out on orders by the Intelligence and Security organizations. Based on information obtained by a Neday-s Sabz Azadi reporter, in the past and at the beginning of the first term of the ninth government (Ahmadinejad’s presidency in 2005), in a similar case like the one in Mashhad, more than 60 people were suddenly executed. The executions took place in the wake of the disclosure of ties between a high-ranking security official and drug smuggling groups. Most of those executed in 2005 were citizens of Torbat-e Jam and Taibad. Family members of the security official in question were among the executed.