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Humanity
Indict Iran's Ruling Mullahs for Massacre
of 30,000 Political Prisoners
ISBN : 0 9540035 0 0
more than 30,000 women and men, of all ages, of all types, of all tastes,
united in a single goal; that of Iran’s liberation from the clutches of
fundamentalist tyranny. They perished in the massacre of 1988, when
the orders came to exterminate all political prisoners. The vast majority
of them were under thirty; most had been in jail for years, many since
they were only thirteen or fourteen years old. As they were being led
to execution dozens at a time, day after day, a short poem became
popular among prisoners:
Every dawn the storm comes
To mow the young red roses down
But this garden, where the water is blood,
Will for ever be full of red roses.
This book is dedicated to the countless red roses of the Iranian people’s
resistance against tyranny.
Contents
Foreword i
Introduction v
A call for justice
I A Damning Document
Excerpts from “The Memoirs of Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri” 19
II How Many Executions? 39
Mojahedin’s statement on Montazeri’s revelations
V Legal Grounds 77
A review of international law and legal precedents for the establishment
of an international tribunal for Iran
Even though the Nuremberg Tribunal more than half a century ago set a precedent,
under international law, for a universalistic approach to crimes against humanity,
the concept of universal jurisdiction over such crimes did not gain broad international
acceptance until the world was shaken, once again, by the atrocities in the former
Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
The Statute of the International Criminal Court has not yet been ratified by the
sixty countries needed for the treaty to come into operation. But UN officials have
indicated that with more than 130 signatures, they expect that by mid-2002 the
necessary threshold will be reached.
The overwhelming support for the ICC reaffirms the strong public support for
international accountability and the punishment of perpetrators of genocide, war
crimes, and crimes against humanity. Unfortunately, the jurisdiction of the Court
will not be retrospective, and some means have to be found of dealing with
exceptionally serious crimes of the recent past. There has been discussion of ad hoc
tribunals, and in one case, Sierra Leone, where it is estimated that tens of thousands
have been killed, the United Nations is actually setting up a special court to try the
leaders who ordered those crimes.
i
Crime Against Humanity
Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri says that in the first few days of the Iranian
massacre in 1988, thousands were killed, and at a conservative estimate, the final
death toll was in the region of 30,000. It may be politically impossible to establish a
formal means of bringing the culprits to justice, but it must be said that the episode
of 1988 presents an unavoidable challenge to the will and consistency of the
international community in dealing with such crimes. Moreover, since that time,
there has been a constant flow of evidence regarding the merciless extermination by
the régime of its political opponents, from human rights NGOs, the Special
Rapporteur on Iran of the UN Human Rights Commission, and thousands of
individual witnesses.
Now, Ayatollah Montazeri has shown that the orders for extrajudicial executions
come from the very top. He reproduces in his book the text of the fatwa issued by
Khomeini, ordering the deaths of political prisoners. Khomeini wrote:
“It is decreed that those who are in prisons throughout the country and remain
steadfast in their support for the Monafeqin [Mojahedin] are waging war on God
and are condemned to execution. The task of implementing the decree in Tehran is
entrusted to Hojjatol-Islam Nayyeri, the religious judge, Mr. Eshraqi, the Tehran
prosecutor, and a representative of the Intelligence Ministry. Even though a
unanimous decision is better, the view of a majority of the three must prevail. In
prisons in the provinces, the views of a majority of a trio consisting of the religious
judge, the revolutionary prosecutor, and the Intelligence Ministry representative must
be obeyed. It is naïve to show mercy to those who wage war on God. The decisive
way in which Islam treats the enemies of God is among the unquestionable tenets of
the Islamic régime... Those who are making the decisions must not hesitate, nor
show any doubt or be concerned with details. They must try to be most ferocious
against infidels.”
This fatwa was issued in July 1988, and the bloodshed continued for the next
five months. In March 1989, Le Monde reported:
“Imam Khomeini summoned the Revolutionary Prosecutor, Hojjatol-Islam
Khoeiniha, to instruct him that henceforth all Mojahedin, those in prisons or
elsewhere, must be killed for waging war on God. The executions followed summary
trials. The trial consisted of various means of pressuring the prisoners to repent, to
change their ways and confess. Cases of young Mojahedin who were executed included
some who were jailed about eight years earlier, when they were 12 to 14 years old, for
taking part in public demonstrations.”
Edward Mortimer wrote in the Financial Times of August 17, 1988:
“Iran has resorted to mass executions of political prisoners, possibly intended
to forestall or divert attacks on the Government by groups angry at its acceptance of
UN peace terms...
ii
Foreword
“The people executed were in prison long before these events. Some had been
given death sentences which had been suspended, often because the people concerned
had formally ‘repented’ of their crimes and pledged support for the régime. Others
had been given prison sentences of which they had already served the greater part,
while yet others were still on trial.”
So the world knew generally what was going on, but the missing piece of the
jigsaw was the text of Khomeini’s fatwa, though, ironically, another fatwa by Mr.
Khomeini issued about six months later, against Salman Rushdie in February 1989,
gained much international infamy.
The people who carried out the first decree murdered thousands of political
prisoners after summary trials that lasted only a few minutes. Most of them, except
Khomeini and his son who are dead, continue to occupy the top echelons of power in
the Islamic Republic of Iran.
It is clear why the “moderates” colluded with the “hardliners” for the trial of
those involved in the “chain murders” of dissidents in 1998 to be held in camera.
While President Khatami has said “there is nothing to hide in the case of the chain
murders,” almost certainly, some of the officials who were involved in the massacre
of 1988 were also guilty parties in the more recent wave of killings.
If those responsible for this crime against humanity go free, a terrible injustice
will have been done to the victims, their families, and the survivors of the mass
executions. The cause of international justice and universality of jurisdiction over
crimes against humanity will have been seriously impaired.
It is essential that the UN Human Rights Commission should now conduct a
proper investigation of the events of 1988, with extra resources allocated to the
Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions for the purpose. The international
community should reserve the right to demand that, in order to comply with accepted
norms of justice, a future Iranian government itself should bring to justice those
who were responsible for this enormous crime.
Eric Avebury
Member of the House of Lords,
Vice-chairman of the British Parliamentary
Human Rights Group
January 2001
iii
Introduction
In December 2000, Hossein-Ali Montazeri, a 79-year-old cleric who had been for
ten years the designated successor to Khomeini, the supreme ruler of the theocratic
regime in Iran, published his memoirs. The book revealed shocking documents on
the atrocities committed by the clerical regime, none so horrendous as the massacre
of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988 on the orders of Khomeini.
Montazeri’s book was not the first time the world was hearing about this
massacre. News of the carnage began to trickle through the iron curtain of censorship
imposed by the mullahs to ensure a complete blackout on their crime. By autumn
1988, many human rights organizations and NGOs were already voicing alarm over
the mass executions in Iran and urging a full international inquiry.
Montazeri’s book does possess a unique legal and political value, however, in
that he reveals, for the first time, some key documents on the way the massacre
began and was conducted. Most important among the documents is the text of
Khomeini’s fatwa - religious edict that in clergy-ruled Iran has the force of law -
ordering the massacre of all political prisoners. “Whoever at any stage continues to
belong to the Monafeqin [Mojahedin] must be executed. Annihilate the enemies of
Islam immediately,” Khomeini decreed.
v
Crime Against Humanity
What gives added weight to the revelations is that they are being made by a man
who was, at the time of the executions, the officially ordained successor to Khomeini
and the second highest authority in the land. Even today, Montazeri makes it clear
that he speaks from within the clerical regime, cares about its survival, and in no
way condones any action to undermine or change this regime. Indeed, beyond the
revelation of certain key documents and facts, Montazeri attempts to whitewash the
role of the highest levels of government in the carnage.
The documents and accounts in Montazeri’s memoirs complement and
corroborate thousands of substantive reports and official complaints by eyewitnesses
and families of the victims of the massacre. They prove beyond a shadow of doubt
that the most senior officials of the clerical regime took part in the implementation
of the policy of exterminating political prisoners in 1988.
Speaking on French television in February 1989, Hashemi Rafsanjani, the then
acting commander in chief of the armed forces and Speaker of the Majlis, said that
“the number of political prisoners executed in the past few months was less than
1,000” (Iran Yearbook 89/90).
The then President Ali Khamenei, now the regime’s Supreme Leader, told a
meeting at Tehran University: “As regards mass executions... those in prison who
had contacts with the Monafeqin, who mounted an armed incursion against the
Islamic Republic, do you think we should have given these prisoners sweets for this?...
They are condemned to death and we execute them. We do not joke with this” (Tehran
radio, December 5, 1988).
The newspaper Iran News wrote about Khomeini’s decree: “This decree was
issued at a time when President Mohammad Khatami was the Director of Ideological
and Cultural Affairs of the Armed Forces' High Command. He implemented the
Imam’s decree in the most decisive manner,” (Iran News, April 10, 2000).
Another state-controlled daily, Ressalat, wrote the same day: “Mr. Khatami, who
was the Director of Cultural Affairs of the Armed Forces' High Command, vigorously
supported the Imam's decree,” (Ressalat, April 10, 2000).
Abdulkarim Moussavi Ardebili, the Chief Justice at the time of the carnage,
declared publicly: “They must all be executed… There is not going to be any more of
this sentencing and appeals” (Tehran radio, August 6, 1988).
The Paris-based Le Monde wrote in March 1989: “Imam Khomeini summoned
the Revolutionary Prosecutor, Hojjatol-Islam Khoeiniha, to instruct him that
henceforth all of the Mojahedin, those in prisons or anywhere else, should be executed
for waging war on God. The executions followed summary trials. The trial consisted
of various means of pressuring the prisoners to repent, to change their ways and
confess… Cases of young Mojahedin who were executed included some who were
jailed about eight years ago, when 12 to 14 years old, for taking part in public
vi
A Call for Justice
vii
Crime Against Humanity
The massacre of political prisoners in 1988 is by no means the only crime against
humanity committed by these individuals and other officials of the Iranian regime.
Other crimes include, inter alia, systematic torture, ethnically- and religiously-
motivated genocide, institutionalized discrimination against women and systematic
rape of women and girls in prisons, persecution on political and cultural grounds,
and assassination of hundreds of dissidents outside Iran.
In the face of such compelling evidence on one of the most gruesome massacres
since the Second World War, the United Nations and its organs have a historical and
moral duty to act. If these crimes are to be left unpunished, a terrible injustice will
have been perpetrated upon the victims and survivors of these crimes, along with
their families. But more importantly, it would make a mockery of the exercise of
universal jurisdiction over such crimes. It would raise the obvious question, for
example, that would the perpetrators of crimes against humanity in Rwanda and the
former Yugoslavia have been brought to justice if their governments were exporting
oil and offering lucrative business to the outside world?
The Iranian Resistance requests the active assistance and solidarity of all those
who care for justice and human rights to bring about the establishment of a United
Nations-mandated international tribunal for Iran.
viii
A Call for Justice
ix
I
A Damning Document
Excerpts from “The Memoirs of Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri”
20
A Damning Document
The preceding letter is not dated, but Haj Ahmad has written on the back of the
original decree:
Your son,
Ahmad
In all the above cases, if the person at any stage or at any time
maintains his [or her] support for the Monafeqin [Mojahedin], the
sentence is execution. Annihilate the enemies of Islam immediately.
As regards the cases, use whichever criterion that speeds up the
implementation of the verdict.
21
Crime Against Humaity
to five or ten years in jail? Were you not responsible? So how is it that you telephone
Haj Ahmad and ask him should we execute them in Kashan or in Isfahan? You should
have gone to the Imam and told him that if someone has been in jail for some time
and has been sentenced to five years, and had no news of Monafeqin’s [Mojahedin’s]
operation, how can we execute him? They have not committed a new crime for which
we could try them.”
Finally, they executed 2,800 or 3,800 women and men in the country (I doubt
which figure is right). Even those who were saying their prayers and fasting were
summoned and would be told to recant. The prisoner would find this offensive to his
personality and would refuse. Then they would say, so you are steadfast in your
position, and would have him executed.
One of the judicial officials in Qom came to see me and complained about the
head of the Intelligence Department in Qom. He said: The man says let us kill them
off as quickly as we can and get rid of them. The judicial official would complain and
say: Let us at least look at the file and review the sentence, but the intelligence official
would reply: The Imam has issued the verdict; all we have to do is to ascertain that
the prisoner is holding fast to his views [supporting the Mojahedin]. The judicial
official told me that they would ask prisoners: Are you still holding to your views? To
which the prisoners would respond yes, unaware of the consequences. Then they
take them immediately for execution.
I finally felt that this was not the correct way of doing things and decided to
write a letter to the Imam... I sat down and wrote the following letter:
Letter to the Imam in protest over the execution of prisoners who were
serving their sentences in jails
Date: July 31, 1988
22
A Damning Document
Hossein-Ali Montazeri
23
Crime Against Humaity
Text of Montazeri’s letter to Khomeini on 31 July 1988, complaining that mass execution
of Mojahedin prisoners will only enhance their legitimacy and popular appeal
24
A Damning Document
25
Crime Against Humaity
Hossein-Ali Montazeri
* By “walk over mines,” the prosecutor was referring to the commonly used tactics by the
Revoultionary Guards in the Iran-Iraq war of sending waves of boy soldiers across minefields to
clear the way for the Guards’ advance. Hundreds of thousands of young Iranians perished in
these “human wave” attacks.
But I noticed that they were still continuing the executions. On the first of [the
lunar month of] Moharram*, I summoned Mr. Nayyeri, the religious judge of Evin,
Mr. Eshraqi, the prosecutor, Mr. Raissi, the deputy prosecutor, and Mr.
Pourmohammadi, the Intelligence Ministry representative. I said to them: “Now is
the month of Moharram and at least halt the executions during this month.”
Mr. Nayyeri replied: “We have executed 750 prisoners in Tehran and have
separated 200 others as those who are sticking to their views. Once we finish off this
lot, you can order as you wish...”
I became much dismayed and made several points and gave them a copy of the
main points in the form of a memorandum:
* In Moslem tradition, following ancient Arab customs, fighting and bloodshed are banned in the
month of Moharram.
26
A Damning Document
27
Crime Against Humaity
28
A Damning Document
Hossein-Ali Montazeri
Mr. Eslami, who was the revolutionary prosecutor in Fars province, came to see
me with a file about the execution of a girl. He said: “I opposed her execution, but
they executed her as they outnumbered me two to one.”
Hojjatol-Islam Hossein-Ali Ansari, who was my representative in prisons, said:
“There were six or seven brothers in one prison who were pious and said we turned
away from the Monafeqin, but the authorities want us to recant on television and we
refuse to do so, as this is a dishonorable thing for us... The officials in the prison said
this showed that they were still supporting [the Mojahedin] and executed them. They
only spared one of them, who had been paralyzed [in prison]. This is how things
were being carried out.”
29
Crime Against Humaity
30
A Damning Document
31
Crime Against Humaity
Execution of children
...Do you know that crimes are being committed in the prisons of
the Islamic Republic in the name of Islam the like of which was never
seen in the Shah’s evil regime?
Do you know that a large number of prisoners have been killed
under torture by their interrogators?
Do you know that in Mashad prison, some 25 girls had to have
their ovaries or uterus removed as a result of what had been done to
them, and because there were no physicians and medical care?
Do you know that in Shiraz prison, a girl who was fasting in the
month of Ramadan was executed on petty charges immediately after
breaking her fast?
Do you know that in some prisons of the Islamic Republic young
32
A Damning Document
33
Crime Against Humaity
salaries are the same as they were before, prices have jumped ten to
twenty times higher. How can the poor live in such conditions?
Do you know that contrary to what we studied in Islamic
jurisprudence, in the Islamic Republic a Muslim’s right to life is not
respected, nor is his property...
Do you know that most good judges have become disillusioned
and have resigned, leaving behind corrupt or weak individuals as
judges?
Do you know that... everyday about a million Iranians go to doctors
and pharmacies and hospitals and clinics, but the vast majority of them
return unsatisfied and disenchanted? This is not because of the war,
but because of mismanagement and lack of planning...
Do you know that drug addiction is rampant in this country, and
that executions, prisons, island concentration camps, etc., are no longer
effective?...
In conclusion, it is my view that the country is on a downward
spiral and the majority of the people are disenchanted...
For eight years, we have been ruling the country through violence,
numerous executions, and inappropriate confiscation, and we have
not got anywhere.
Arbitrary Justice
34
A Damning Document
35
Crime Against Humaity
Doc. No. 97
His Exalted Eminence, the Great Commander of the Faithful and the
Imam of the Ummah, Grand Ayatollah Imam Khomeini,
36
A Damning Document
37
II
The following are excerpts from a statement by the People’s Mojahedin Organization
of Iran, issued on December 17, 2000, on the dimensions of the massacre of political
prisoners:
1. It is regrettable that Mr. Montazeri, as the second highest authority in the
country at the time of the massacre of political prisoners in 1988, fails to reveal in
his recent book the real number of executed political prisoners in that carnage, nor
does he mention the duration of the massacre. He does not say, for example, how
many political prisoners were jailed from 1981 to 1988, while his representatives
were present in the prisons during that period and Mr. Montazeri is undoubtedly
aware of the figures.
He does not say how many political prisoners there were prior to the massacre,
and how many survived. How were the killings carried out? And for how long? Where
were the bodies buried? And how many people were executed by the time the carnage
came to a halt?
2. The first reference that Mr. Montazeri makes to the number of executed
prisoners covers only the first days of the massacre, when he wrote: “Finally, they
executed 2,800 or 3,800 women and men in the country (I doubt which figure is
right)... I felt that this was not the correct way of doing things and decided to write a
letter to the Imam.”
Crime Against Humaity
Mr. Montazeri then proceeds to describe the first letter he wrote to Khomeini on
this issue, dated July 31, 1988.
In this letter, Montazeri mentions the massacre of political prisoners and writes
in the last paragraph: “The execution of several thousand prisoners in a few days
will not have positive repercussions and will not be mistake-free.”
While Montazeri clearly states that by July 31, in the first days of the massacre,
the number of mass executions reached “2,800 or 3,800” or, as he wrote in his letter,
“several thousand prisoners,” he does not mention any figure for the number of
executions at the end of the massacre and repeats the figures of “2,800 or 3,800.” It
is also clear from the contents of his first letter to Khomeini that by July 31, he was
still unaware of the mass executions in the provinces and the figures he gives refer
only to Tehran.
3. Mr. Montazeri also wrote in his memoirs: “A few days later, a judge from
Khuzistan by the name of Hojjatol-Islam Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi came to see
me and was very distressed. He told me: “Over there, they are executing them with
great speed. They conjure up a majority vote out of the three-member panel. They
are angry about the Monafeqin’s operation, but are venting our anger on the
prisoners.”
Mr. Montazeri says that following this meeting, he wrote a second letter to
Khomeini, dated August 2, 1988, in which he protested against the procedures.
4. Mr. Montazeri notes that after writing the second letter to Khomeini, “I noticed
that they were still continuing the executions. On the first of Moharram, I summoned
Mr. Nayyeri, the religious judge of Evin, and Mr. Eshraqi, the prosecutor, and Mr.
Raissi, the deputy prosecutor, and Mr. Pour-Mohammadi, the Intelligence Ministry
representative. I said to them: ‘Now is the month of Moharram and at least halt the
executions during this month.’”
The first day of the month of Moharram coincided with August 13, 1988. Mr.
Montazeri thus makes it clear that mass executions were going on with the same
intensity up to that point.
5. Mr. Montazeri writes in the following section: “Later, they obtained a letter
from the Imam for non-religious prisoners. At the time, there were about 500 non-
religious and atheist prisoners. The aim was to liquidate these prisoners, as well,
and get rid of them.”
Several weeks separate Montazeri’s August 14 letter and the new fatwa by
Khomeini which concerned the execution of non-Mojahedin prisoners. Investigations
by the Mojahedin at the time showed that Khomeini’s second fatwa (which dealt
with non-Mojahedin prisoners), was issued on September 6 or thereabouts. In other
words, by the time this new fatwa was issued, mass execution of Mojahedin political
prisoners in Tehran had been going on with great ferocity for more than 40 days.
40
How Many Executions?
41
Crime Against Humaity
were being hanged by these cranes and the process went on and on without any
interruption. The bodies were examined by Dr. Ata Foroughi, who was head of the
prison’s clinic, and Dr. Mirza’i, who was head of Lajevardi’s office. [Assadollah
Lajevardi was the former governor of Evin Prison and the most notorious executioner
and torturer in the mullahs’ regime. Later he became the head of the State Prisons
Organization.] Once they were pronounced dead, the bodies would be piled into
covered trucks and taken out of prison. The trucks had been on loan from Evin’s
police station. Some of the trucks belonged to Evin prison itself.
“The same procedure went on for two weeks, from 7:30 am until 5 pm. Soon
they were also using the parking lot for the executions and the number of executions
every half-hour reached 37 to 40.”
On the basis of these revelations by a former official of Evin prison, we can safely
extrapolate that if 19 rounds of executions were carried out every day, and in each
round 30 prisoners were hanged, then at least 570 prisoners were being executed in
Evin prison every day. In 14 days, the number of executions exceed 8,000. Bearing
in mind that executions were continuing even after two weeks, and that by early
September Khomeini issued another decree ordering the execution of non-Mojahedin
prisoners who, according to Montazeri, numbered about 500, then the number of
male prisoners executed in Evin prison was more than 10,000.
There were thousands of women prisoners, many of whom were executed. In
addition, there were thousands of inmates in other jails in and around Tehran,
including Gohardasht, where the massacre was carried out with equal ferocity. When
all these are added together, the number of executions in Tehran jails becomes
exceedingly high. One must also bear in mind that the Iranian Resistance had revealed
a list of 635 prisons with addresses and their specifications, which gives an idea of
the magnitude of the carnage.
8. Montazeri does not mention the cities and towns where the massacre of
political prisoners took place, nor does he say how many prisoners were executed in
each city. But reports compiled by the Mojahedin show that the carnage went on in
at least 100 cities and towns across the country. In many of these cities, not a single
political prisoner was left alive. These cities included Kermanshah, Zanjan, Mashad,
Arak, Hamedan, Orumieh, Semnan, Rudsar, Ahwaz, Qom, Sari, Qaemshahr, Shahre
Kord, Khorram-Abad, Zahedan, Karaj, Tabriz, Sabzevar, Rasht, Shiraz, Masjid-
Soleiman, Isfahan, Sanandaj, Babol, Lahijan, Bandar-Anzali, Chalous, Borujerd,
Kashan, Manjil, Garmsar, Fasa, Andimeshk, Behbahan, Kalachai, Gachsaran,
Kerman, Somesara, Abhar, Shahinshahr, Dezful, Islamabad, Kerend, Ilam, Borazjan,
Toyserkan, Pol-Dokhtar, Ardebil, Shahroud, Gorgan, Gonbad, Shahreza, Langaroud,
Amol, Aligudarz, Quchan, Makou, Qazvin, Birjand, Maragheh, Mahshahr, Bushehr,
Khoy, Kazeroun, Salmas, Golpayegan, Estahbanat, Aliabad, and so on.
42
How Many Executions?
43
Crime Against Humaity
44
Crimes Against Women
III
In his recently published memoirs, Mr. Hossein-Ali Montazeri, the former heir-
apparent of Khomeini, refers to mass execution and systematic torture of women
political prisoners in Iran, that has led to numerous women being killed or maimed
under torture or losing their mental balance. He reveals that in the massacre of
political prisoners in 1988, numerous women were also sent before the firing squads
after summary trials.
While the Iranian Resistance has consistently exposed the crimes of the mullahs’
regime against women in Iran, today some of these crimes are being revealed by a
man who was for ten years the clerical regime’s Number Two and Khomeini’s heir-
apparent, with access to the innermost secrets of the state:
1. Mr. Montazeri reveals in this book the text of a personal letter he sent to
Khomeini on October 8, 1986. In it, Montazeri wrote, inter alia: “Do you know that
crimes are being committed in the prisons of the Islamic Republic in the name of
Islam the like of which was never seen under the Shah’s evil regime?
“Do you know that a large number of prisoners have been killed under torture
by their interrogators?
“Do you know that in Mashad prison, some 25 girls had to have their ovaries or
uterus removed as a result of what had been done to them, and because there were
no physicians and medical care?
45
Crime Against Humaity
“Do you know that in Shiraz prison, a girl who was fasting in the month of
Ramadan was executed on petty charges immediately after breaking her fast?
“Do you know that in some prisons of the Islamic Republic young girls are being
raped by force?
“Do you know that interrogators foulmouth the girls and use disgusting words
to insult them while interrogating them?
“Do you know that as a result of unruly torture, many prisoners have become
deaf or paralyzed or afflicted with chronic diseases? And there is no one to listen to
their complaints?”
The damning contents of this letter alone provide sufficient grounds for an
international prosecution of the crimes against humanity in Iran. Where else in the
world are women and girls subjected to such horrifying treatment?
2. In another shocking example of the atrocities committed by the mullahs’
regime, Mr. Montazeri writes in his memoirs:
“Once I was in Najafabad and I was told about two persons who had been
sentenced to death. One was the thirteen-year-old daughter of Haj Taqi Rajai. I knew
their family well; they were pious and lived in Najafabad. They were said to have
been influenced and recruited by the People’s Mojahedin, and were sentenced to
execution for this reason.
“They told me that these two persons had been sentenced to death. They said
the thirteen-year-old girl had been asked by the interrogator: ‘Don’t you believe in
the Imam if you are saying these things?’ She said, with youthful pride: ‘No, I don’t.’
“I never thought that these two persons would be executed any time soon... But
they came to me the next day and said: ‘The two of them were executed last night!’ I
was utterly shocked.”
3. Mr. Montazeri in effect acknowledges that the rape of girls in the mullahs’
prisons was a widespread and systematic practice. He writes: “Many of those who
were being arrested in connection with the Mojahedin were girls and they were
executing them on charges of waging war on God... I told the judiciary officials and
Evin officials and others, quoting the Imam, that they must not execute girls from
the Mojahedin. I told judges not to write death sentences for girls. This is what I
said. But then they perverted my words and quoted me as saying: ‘Don’t execute
girls. First marry them for one night and then execute them.’”
This is a clear acknowledgment that girls in prisons were being systematically
raped by the guards and torturers. The sexual assault on prisoners was not confined
to girls; from teenagers to aging women, all female prisoners were constantly exposed
to this savage treatment. Many women prisoners became insane as a result of being
raped by the guards.
46
Crimes Against Women
4. An aide to Montazeri who visited some of the prisons wrote a letter to Khomeini
about his observations. The letter, reproduced in Montazeri’s book, reads in part:
“[There] are prisoners whose hair had been pulled out, their arms and legs broken,
their toes and fingers smashed, their teeth broken. They had scars on their bodies. A
woman from Mashad said that she had been arrested during the month of Ramadan
while she was pregnant and had been beaten so much that she miscarried her child.
Prisoners claimed that two of them had been beaten to death.” He refers to a variety
of tortures, including “flogging with electric cables, kicking, burning the skin with
lighters, being dragged by a car, being burnt with kerosene and petrol.”
5. Montazeri cites a report by his own representative who visited some prisons:
“We went to visit Hessarak Prison (or Qezel Hessar), near Mardabad. We saw a door
that was covered with a black blanket and a rug. Inside, it was so dark you could not
tell the day from the night. About ten prisoners were being held in that room. We
came across a girl, one of the prisoners, who was eating her own feces. She had been
so much tortured and harassed that she had become deranged. But they were still
keeping her in jail.”
The girl was among a group of “200 to 300 girls who had been arrested essentially
for having read the Mojahedin’s statements and some of them had become mentally
disturbed while in prison.”
6. Mr. Montazeri points out that many of the victims of the 1988 massacre of
political prisoners were women. In his first letter to Khomeini on the issue of
massacres, written only three days after the killings began, Mr. Montazeri stated: “If
you insist [on the mass executions], at least allow the women to be spared, especially
women with children.”
In another example, Montazeri cites the revolutionary prosecutor of Fars
province: “[Islami] had brought to me the file of a girl about to be executed. He said
he was opposed to executing her, but the other two voted in favor of the execution.”
7. But most of the atrocities and crimes perpetrated against women in Khomeini’s
jails are not even mentioned in Montazeri’s book. The infamous “Residential Units,”
for example, which the torturers and guards referred to as a “place of no return,”
were comparable to “rape camps” where women prisoners faced the most horrendous
treatment and torture and were in the end executed or killed under torture. The only
survivors are those who have become mentally deranged.
Mojahedin women taken to these units would be held inside “cages” - coffin-like
cell where the prisoner had to stand on her feet all the time. One former prisoner
wrote: “They brought to our cell several women who had been tortured in the
‘Residential Units.’ They had all become insane. They cried all day, swore, talked to
themselves, while refusing to talk to anybody else.”
47
Crime Against Humaity
8. Beijing’s conference coined the mantra that “women’s rights are human rights.”
After Beijing+5, fighting violence against women has become a major issue for
defenders of women’s rights across the world. Today, the world community is bringing
to justice perpetrators of crimes against humanity whose victims have been women.
All this makes it imperative that the rulers of the mullahs’ regime, as the principals
in these crimes against humanity, be brought to justice by the international
community. The revelation of shocking evidence of such crimes by the former heir-
apparent of Khomeini only makes any inaction and silence on these crimes more
unjustified. Economic interests must not be placed ahead of human rights concerns.
The women’s committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran urges all
human rights forums, the UN Commission on Human Rights, the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, the UNHRC special representative for human
rights in Iran, the special rapporteur for women, and all organizations defending
women’s rights to condemn the Iranian regime’s crimes against women and to
undertake every effort to remove the political and practical impediments to the
formation of an international tribunal for putting on trial the principals and
perpetrators of these crimes.
48
Wanted for crimes against humaity
IV
Wanted
for Crimes Against Humanity
Proposed list of indictments against 20 leaders and officials of Iranian regime
49
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Ali
Family Name: Khamenei
POSITION IN 1988:
President
CURRENT POSITION:
Vali-e Faqih (Supreme Leader)
OTHER POSITIONS:
1. Member, Revolutionary Council
2. President, two terms for a total of eight years
3. Supreme Leader since 1989
1. Khamenei was present in the meeting where Khomeini ordered the massacre.
Khamenei strongly supported Khomeini’s order and persistently defended the fatwa
when international condemnation mounted.
2. As President and the highest ranking executive authority in 1988, Khamenei
bears primary responsibility for the massacre. As President, he allowed unlimited
governmental resources to be used in implementing Khomeini’s order.
3. Khamenei has since been actively involved in preventing the exposure of the
carnage. In order to protect the “interests of the system” after the 1988 massacre
and keep the crimes against humanity from being exposed, he prevented the UNHRC
Special Representative from visiting Iran (reported by the regime’s radio on
December 6, 1988).
OTHER CHARGES:
1. The terrorist operations outside Iran targeting hundreds of Iranian dissidents
are initially approved by Khamenei and then submitted to the Supreme National
Security Council for further review and subsequently put into implementation.
2. A German court referred to Khamenei’s role in the killing of four Iranian
dissidents by agents of the Intelligence Ministry in the Mykonos restaurant in Berlin.
The court identified Khamenei as the highest authority for giving orders for the
assassinations.
50
Wanted for crimes against humaity
PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Khamenei acknowledged his responsibility and defended the massacre of political
prisoners “With respect to executions, mass executions in Iran, ... have we banned
capital punishment? No. We in the Islamic Republic have capital punishment for
those who deserve to be executed. Do you think we should give sweets to a prisoner
who has connections with the activities of the Monafeqin who attacked the Islamic
Republic’s borders? If his connection with that group is revealed, what should we do
to him? He is condemned to execution and we will execute him. We do not joke with
this” (Tehran radio, December 12, 1988).
51
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Ali-Akbar
Family Name: Hashemi-Rafsanjani
POSITION IN 1988:
Speaker of Parliament, Acting Commander in
Chief of the Armed Forces
CURRENT POSITION:
Head of the State Exigencies Council,
Deputy Speaker of Assembly of Experts
OTHER POSITIONS:
Member of the Revolutionary Council, Minister of the Interior, President 1989-
1997
OTHER CHARGES:
1-In the summer of 1981, as large-scale execution of dissidents began, Rafsanjani
52
Wanted for crimes against humaity
demanded more ruthless repression. He said publicly: “At the outset of the Revolution
we made a mistake: we did not kill 200 Mojahedin, now we have to kill them by the
thousands.”
2-During his presidency, he ordered the execution of many dissidents abroad.
One such example was the assassination of Dr. Kazem Rajavi in Geneva in April
1990. The victim’s brother, Massoud Rajavi, revealed Rafsanjani’s crime based on
the testimony of reputable witnesses, and the Swiss media published the details.
Rafsanjani tried to sue one of the reporters, but a Geneva court ruled in favor of the
journalist and rejected Rafsanjani’s claim of libel.
3- As chairman of the regime’s Supreme National Security Council between 1989
and 1997, Rafsanjani personally endorsed plans for the assassination of Iranian
dissidents abroad.
4- A Berlin Court found Rafsanjani guilty as one of a group of the highest officials
of the Islamic Republic who had ordered the assassination of four dissident Iranians
in Mykonos restaurant in 1992.
5- Throughout the year 2000, more evidence of Rafsanjani’s role in a chain of
politically motivated murders in Iran has surfaced.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Rafsanjani: “God’s law prescribes four punishments for them (the Mojahedin).
1-Kill them. 2-Hang them, 3-Cut off their hands and feet 4-Banish them. If we had
killed two hundred of them right after the Revolution, their numbers would not have
mounted this way. I repeat that according to the Quran, we are determined to destroy
all [Mojahedin] who display enmity against Islam” ( Ettela’at, October 31, 1981).
53
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Mohammad
Family Name: Khatami
POSITION IN 1988:
Minister of Islamic Guidance,
Director of Cultural Affairs at the General Command
of the Armed Forces
CURRENT POSITION:
President since 1997
OTHER POSITIONS:
1-Khomeini appointed him Supervisor of Kayhan (Iran’s biggest-circulation
daily)
2-Member of the Majlis (parliament) from Ardekan
3-Minister of Guidance from 1982 until 1992
4-Advisor to the President and Director of the National Library 1992-1997
OTHER CHARGES:
1-From the outset, he was a close advisor to Khomeini. He personally directed
54
Wanted for crimes against humaity
the censorship and repression of writers and artists for ten years as Minister of
Guidance. Many of the most outstanding Iranian writers and artists were executed
by firing squads during his term as Minister of Guidance.
2-During the war (with Iraq), Khatami was responsible for mobilizing school
children who died by the tens of thousands in senseless human-wave attacks across
minefields. Khatami’s role in this atrocity indeed amounts to a war crime.
55
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Abdulkarim
Family Name: Moussavi Ardebili
POSITION IN 1988:
Chief Justice of the Islamic Republic,
head of the Supreme Judicial Council
CURRENT POSITION:
One of the regime’s official interpreters of canon law
(a jurist worthy of being followed or “emulated”),
theological lecturer in city of Qom’s seminaries
OTHER POSITIONS:
Member of the ruling clergy’s Revolutionary Council. The first Chief Prosecutor
under Khomeini
OTHER CHARGES:
During his tenure as Chief Justice between 1981 and 1989, more than 90,000
executions took place. Ardebili was the ultimate judicial authority as Chief of the
entire Judicial System
REMARKS:
Moussavi-Ardebili’s own confession of some of these wholesale crimes against
humanity is included.
56
Wanted for crimes against humaity
Name: Mohammad
Family Name: Moussavi Khoeiniha
POSITION IN 1988:
Chief Revolutionary Prosecutor
CURRENT POSITION:
Leader of the Second Khordad Front
(Supporters of Khatami); and member
of the State Exigencies Council
OTHER POSITIONS:
Leader of the “Students Following the Line of the Imam” who held American
diplomats in Tehran hostage for 444 days
OTHER CHARGES:
1-He and his deputy prosecutors issued at least 100,000 arrest warrants for
dissidents. Most of the detainees were subjected to savage torture. Huge numbers
were executed.
2-He appointed special representatives in the Ministry of Intelligence and its
departments throughout Iran in order to expedite the arrest and torture of political
dissidents.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Le Monde , March 1, 1989: “Imam Khomeini summoned Revolutionary
Prosecutor Hojjatoleslam [Mohammad Moussavi] Khoeiniha and ordered him to
treat all Mojahedin, in prison or elsewhere, as being at war with God and execute
them summarily...”
57
Crime Against Humaity
POSITION IN 1988:
Deputy Director of the Ministry of Intelligence
CURRENT POSITION:
Member of Assembly of Experts
OTHER POSITIONS:
Religious judge of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Abadan
Religious judge of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Kermanshah
Minister of Intelligence
Special Prosecutor
Deputy Chief Revolutionary Prosecutor
Head of the Armed Forces Counter-intelligence Organization
OTHER CHARGES:
1- As the religious judge in several cities including Abadan and Kermanshah, he
issued the execution order and imprisonment of several hundred people.
2- In 1982, as the Deputy Chief of the Revolutionary Court, he coordinated the
activities of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and the Central Committee and
Revolutionary Guards Intelligence which led to the violent crackdown of 1982. ( Abrar
Newspaper August 20, 1989). As a result of the regime’s Revolutionary Guards’ attack
on the houses of Mojahedin members and supporters in Tehran, at least 60 were
killed. The list of their names is available.
3- In his position as the religious judge of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, he
was able to discover and destroy Mojahedin’s organization in Kermanshah and
Khorassan provinces. (Abrar, August 20, 1989) Fallahian signed the execution orders
of many Mojahedin members and supporters in these two provinces.
4- In his position as the Deputy Intelligence Minster, he was responsible for the
training of terrorist teams operating outside Iran.
58
Wanted for crimes against humaity
59
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Mohammad
Family Name: Mohammadi Rayshahri
POSITION IN 1988:
Minister of Intelligence
CURRENT POSITION:
Representative of Supreme Leader
Khamenei for the pilgrimage to Mecca.
OTHER POSITIONS:
Judge of the Special Court for the Clergy; judge in the Revolutionary Tribunal;
President of the Military Tribunals; founder of the Ministry of Intelligence.
OTHER CHARGES:
1-Ordering the execution of dozens of people during the years 1979 through 1981
as a roving Revolutionary Judge in Gachsaran, Dezful, Behbahan, Khorramabad and
Borujerd.
2-”Purges” of thousands of dissident military personnel as chief judge and
prosecutor of Military Tribunals from 1980 through 1984. He personally ordered
the execution of several hundred servicemen during this period.
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Wanted for crimes against humaity
REMARKS:
Several former personnel of the Ministry of Intelligence and Evin Prison are
ready to give eyewitness testimony about Rayshahri’s crimes against humanity in
any trial.
61
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Morteza
Last Name: Eshraghi
POSITION IN 1988:
Tehran Prosecutor and chair of the death
committee in Tehran
CURRENT POSITION:
Justice of the Supreme Court
REMARKS:
Many individuals who were in prison during the massacre and closely witnessed
Eshraghi’s role are ready to serve as witnesses and testify in an international court.
Similarly, several former members of the Intelligence Ministry and former
employees of Evin prison are ready to serve as eyewitness and testify in an
international court. One of these witnesses personally attended a meeting at which
the procedures for implementing Khomeini’s order were discussed.
62
Wanted for crimes against humaity
Name: Jaafar
Family Name: Nayyeri
POSITION IN 1988:
Presiding Judge of Revolutionary Tribunal in
Tehran and Chairman of the central “death
committee” in Tehran
CURRENT POSITION:
Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
OTHER CHARGES:
1-In the past two decades, as a religious judge, judge of the Revolutionary
Tribunals and holder of other senior positions in the ruling clergy’s courts, Nayyeri
has ordered the execution of thousands of political prisoners.
REMARKS:
1-Many eyewitnesses, prisoners who witnessed the crimes, are ready to testify
in any trial.
2-Some former personnel of the Ministry of Intelligence and Evin Prison are
ready to testify about Nayyeri’s crimes.
63
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Mostafa
Family Name: Pourmohammadi
POSITION IN 1988:
Deputy Minister of Intelligence and
member of the “death committee” in Tehran
CURRENT POSITION:
National Security Advisor to the Supreme Leader
OTHER CHARGES:
1-For 13 years, he consistently held high positions in the Ministry of Intelligence.
From 1989 through 1997, he was Deputy Minister of Intelligence under Fallahian.
During this period, Pourmohammadi played a direct role in the arrest, torture and
murder of thousands of political prisoners.
2-He was one of the key masterminds of a chain of political assassinations in
and outside Iran.
3. Pourmohammadi played an instrumental role in dozens of murders involving
dissidents and intellectuals in Iran throughout the 1990s. Among the victims was
his own cousin, Mrs. Ashraf-os-Sadat Borghei, who was killed at her home in Qom
in March 1996. Emadoddin Baghi, a journalist who was later jailed for his revelations,
wrote in Fat’h newspaper on January 29, 2000: “The murderers of Mrs. Borghei put
the house on fire to make it look like a fire and conceal their crime. Deputy Intelligence
Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi, who was the cousin of Mrs. Borghei, was at a
house near the scene of the crime, together with Intelligence Minister Ali Fallahian.”
Baghi later revealed a letter from Borghei’s husband in which he accused
Pourmohammadi of killing his wife. Mrs. Borghei was working for the Intelligence
Ministry.
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Wanted for crimes against humaity
REMARKS:
1-Many eyewitnesses, prisoners during these crimes against humanity, are willing
to testify against Pourmohammadi in any court.
2-In addition, a number of former personnel of the Ministry of Intelligence and
Evin Prison are willing to provide eye-witness testimony about Pourmohammadi’s
crimes against humanity.
65
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Gholam-Hossein
Family Name: Mohseni Ezhei
POSITION IN 1988:
Special representative of the Chief Justice
in the Ministry of Intelligence
CURRENT POSITION:
President of the Special Court for the Clergy since 1998
OTHER POSITIONS:
Judiciary’s representative in the Ministry of Intelligence until 1995
President of Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court
Deputy Revolutionary Prosecutor in Tehran
Religious judge of the State Employees Tribunal
OTHER CHARGES:
1. As the religious judge of the State Employees Tribunal, Mohseni Ezhei has
issued thousands of verdicts for the dismissal, arrest and execution of dissident
employees of the government
2. As the special representative of the judiciary in the Intelligence Ministry,
Mohseni Ezhei “facilitated” the unlawful acts of the Intelligence Ministry’s agents by
giving them authorization for murder and harassment of the citizens. In that position,
he issued thousands of arrest warrants and ordered the torture of detainees. He also
issued death decrees for prisoners who were killed under torture.
3. Mohseni Ezhei has issued death decrees for the murder of several dissident
intellectuals and writers. Newspapers in Iran revealed that Pirouz Davani, a writer,
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Wanted for crimes against humaity
was abducted and killed by Intelligence Ministry agents on a secret decree issued by
Mohseni.
REMARKS:
Several former personnel of the Ministry of Intelligence are ready to give
eyewitness testimony about Mohseni Ezhei’s crimes against humanity in any trial.
67
Crime Against Humaity
POSITION IN 1988:
Secretary of the Guardian Council
CURRENT POSITION:
Chief of the Supreme Court
OTHER POSITIONS:
Chief of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court Member of the Guardian Council
OTHER CHARGES:
1-As Chief of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, he issued numerous death sentences.
Several thousand individuals have been tried by him summarily and sentenced to
death. The courts lasted for only a few minutes and the defendants were never given
a chance to defend themselves or appeal the court’s verdict.
2-He ordered the execution of two of his own children, who were members of
the Mojahedin.
3-Gilani has openly and repeatedly supported torture, public executions, etc.
4-In his position as the president of the Supreme Court, he has upheld thousands
of death sentences passed by courts and religious judges across the country.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Mohammadi Gilani, then-Religious Judge of Tehran: “We must use Ta’azir
(torture) on these [Mojahedin] to make them tell us where they have hidden their
weapons. According to Islam, even if they die under torture, no one is held
accountable. This is the precise decree of the Imam” ( Ettela’at, October 30, 1981).
Mohammadi Gilani: “Those who are arrested during armed street
demonstrations can be lined up against a wall and shot on the spot. The wounded
can also be finished off on the spot. From the religious point of view, there is no need
to bring such people to court, because they have waged war on God. Their sentence
is clear….” (Kayhan, September 20, 1981).
68
Wanted for crimes against humaity
POSITION IN 1988:
First deputy to the Judicial
Organization of the Armed Forces, religious judge
CURRENT POSITION:
Minister of Intelligence since 1999
OTHER POSITIONS:
Religious Judge of Qom
Chief of Tehran Revolutionary Court
Chief of the Army Revolutionary Court, religious judge of the armed forces
Khomeini’s representative for rebuilding the Army Counter-intelligence
Organization
General Prosecutor of Tehran
69
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Ali-Akbar
Family Name: Mohtashami
POSITION IN 1988:
Minister of the Interior
CURRENT POSITION:
Majlis deputy, leader of Khatami’s faction in
the Majlis
OTHER POSITIONS:
Ambassador to Syria
Responsible for the regime’s terrorist activities abroad in the 1980s
Presidential counselor (under Khatami)
OTHER CHARGES:
1- As the acting commander in chief of the internal security forces (Komiteh),
Mohtashami was responsible in the 1980s for the arrest and torture and murder of
numerous political activists and dissidents across the country.
2. Mohtashami’s role in the foreign terrorist operations of the mullahs’ regime
throughout the 1980s is well documented.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Mohtashami: “There are crimes which must be punished by execution. It is
natural that the punishment for the Mojahedin is execution. All the rumors about
mass executions is only about those who were executed in Mersad operation... But
to put this issue to rest, I must say that all those who were arrested and all those who
joined [the Mojahedin] have been executed” (An interview with Iran’s Interior
Minister, Al-Mostaqbal daily, Lebanon, February 24, 1989).
70
Wanted for crimes against humaity
Name: Ebrahim
Last Name: Raissi
POSITION IN 1988:
Deputy to the Tehran Prosecutor and
influential member of “death committee” in Tehran
CURRENT POSITION:
Head of the State Inspectorate Office
OTHER POSITIONS:
President of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court for Political Groups
OTHER CHARGES:
1. As the President of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for Political Groups, Raissi
has been involved in the arrest, torture, and execution of members and supporters
of political groups, especially the Mojahedin
REMARKS:
Many individuals who were in prison during the massacre and closely witnessed
Raissi’s role are ready to serve as witnesses and testify in an international court.
Similarly, many former members of the Intelligence Ministry and former
employees of Evin prison are ready to serve as eyewitnesses and testify in an
international court.
71
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Mohammad
Family Name: Moghisse’i (aka Naserian)
POSITION IN 1988:
Governor of Gohardasht Prison
CURRENT POSITION:
Senior official in the judiciary
OTHER POSITIONS:
Top official in Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran
Interrogator in Evin Prison’s Branch 3
OTHER CHARGES:
1. Moghisse’i has been described by many former prisoners as the most ruthless
among all the savage torturers and executioners in Khomeini’s prisons. This
ruthlessness allowed him to rise quickly in the mullahs’ hierarchy and become the
governor of a major prison by 1987.
2. As the governor of Gohardasht, he introduced the most savage types of torture
to the prison. Hundreds of prisoners lost their mental balance under these tortures
and hundreds more died under torture.
3. He himself raped numerous women prisoners and encouraged this practice
during his term as governor.
REMARKS:
There are hundreds of former prisoners from Gohardasht who are prepared to
testify on Moghisse’i’s crimes.
72
Wanted for crimes against humaity
POSITION IN 1988:
Governor of Evin Prison
CURRENT POSITION:
Senior official in the judiciary
OTHER POSITIONS:
Candidate for Majlis from the city of Zanjan
Official in Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office
Interrogator in Evin Prison
OTHER CHARGES:
1. Mortazavi was one of the most ruthless torturers in Evin and was personally
responsible for killing many prisoners under torture.
2. As the governor of Evin, he ordered the arbitrary execution of numerous
prisoners.
REMARKS:
There are hundreds of former prisoners from Evin who are prepared to testify
on Mortazavi’s crimes. There are also several former members of the Intelligence
Ministry who have indicated their readiness to testify about Mortazavi’s crimes.
73
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Ali
Family Name: Mobasheri
POSITION IN 1988:
Religious Judge in Evin Prison
CURRENT POSITION:
President of Revolutionary Courts in Tehran
OTHER POSITIONS:
Top official in Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office
OTHER CHARGES:
1. Mobasheri was a senior official in the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office after
the 1979 revolution and in that position, he was actively involved in the arrest, torture
and execution of thousands of political dissidents in Tehran. Deputy Chief of the
Judiciary, Mullah Hadi Marvi, praised Mobasheri’s record recently: “Mr. Mobasheri
is an active and well-known figure in the judiciary. In the early years of the revolution,
he was working with Ayatollah Qoddusi to clamp down on the [Mojahedin]” (State
television, April 2, 2000).
2. As the resident religious judge in Evin prison since 1981, he issued countless
orders for torture and execution of prisoners.
3. Mobasheri has personally issued decrees for the rape of women prisoners in
Evin before their execution.
REMARKS:
There are hundreds of former prisoners in Evin who are prepared to testify on
Mobasheri’s crimes.
Several former personnel of the Ministry of Intelligence are ready to give
eyewitness testimony about Mobasheri’s crimes against humanity in any trial.
74
Wanted for crimes against humaity
Name: Ismail
Family Name: Shoushtari
POSITION IN 1988:
Head of the State Prisons Organization,
member of central “death committee”
CURRENT POSITION:
Minister of Justice since 1989
OTHER POSITIONS:
Two-term Majlis deputy
Senior official in Central Revolutionary Court
Member of the Council of Senior Judicial Officials
OTHER CHARGES:
1- As the Head of the State Prisons Organization for several years, Shoushtari
was directly responsible for thousands of executions, systematic torture, and rape of
women prisoners that went on in prisons under his authority.
2. Since 1989, Shoushtari has been Justice Minister and a key member on the
Council of Senior Judicial Officials. He therefore bears direct responsibility for all
the crimes of the mullahs’ judicial system throughout this period.
3. Shoushtari has played a significant role in the past two years to cover up the
case of “politically-motivated chain murders.”
COMMENTS:
Many former political prisoners from Evin Prison are ready to testify on the
crimes of Shoushtari and his role in the massacre of political prisoners in 1988.
75
Crime Against Humaity
Name: Ali-Akbar
Family Name: Velayati
POSITION IN 1988:
Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1981 to 1997
CURRENT POSITION:
Advisor on international affairs to the Supreme Leader
OTHER POSITIONS:
Member of the Majlis 1980-1981
OTHER CHARGES:
1- In April 1997, a Berlin Court found Velayati guilty as a member of a secret
four-man committee comprising the highest officials of the Islamic Republic who
had to ratify all plans for the assassination of dissident Iranians abroad.
2. During his tenure as Foreign Minister, Velayati placed all the facilities of the
Foreign Ministry at the disposal of the Revolutionary Guards and the Intelligence
Ministry to carry out terrorist attacks on Iranian dissidents and also foreign targets
in different countries around the world.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Velayati: “In this country, those who resort to armed insurgency must be killed.
That’s the law. Prisoners who have been executed in recent months belonged to the
People’s Mojahedin. Other executed prisoners had confessed to murder of political
figures” (Interview with Iran’s Foreign Minister, the French weekly Le Point, February
5, 1989).
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Wanted for crimes against humaity
The National Council of Resistance of Iran calls for the establishment of a tribunal
to try the leaders of the Iranian regime and other officials of this regime who have
acted as the principal protagonists of the massacre of thousands of political prisoners
in Iran in 1988.
The carnage that went on in Iran’s prisons in the second half of 1988 undoubtedly
fits into the category of crimen contra omnes - “crimes against all” - in other words,
crimes that are so serious as to mandate universal enforcement, jurisdiction, and
responsibility.
The call for the establishment of an international tribunal is fully based on
international law and legal precedents: from the Nuremberg tribunal at the end of
77
Crime Against Humaity
the Second World War to the international criminal tribunals for Rwanda and former
Yugoslavia, mandated by UN Security Council resolutions.
Crimes against humanity recognized by international law include the practice
of systematic or widespread murder, torture, forced disappearances, deportation
and forcible transfers, arbitrary detention and persecutions on political or other
grounds. There is a huge body of irrefutable evidence to prove that hundreds of
thousands of cases of these crimes have been perpetrated by the current Iranian
regime. Much of the evidence has been documented and catalogued in testimonies,
reports and resolutions by United Nations rapporteurs, the Commission on Human
Rights, the General Assembly, international NGOs, victims or their families, former
or serving officials of the regime, press reports, opposition organizations, etc.
For many years, the National Council of Resistance of Iran has been calling on
the Security Council to order the establishment of an international tribunal that would
bring to justice Iranian officials responsible for crimes against humanity that include
mass executions, systematic torture, ethnically- and religiously-motivated genocide,
institutionalized discrimination against women and systematic rape of women and
girls in prisons, persecution on political and cultural grounds, and terrorist attacks
in many parts of the world.
What bestows particular urgency and added justification to the establishment
of a tribunal now is the recent revelation of a series of documents on the massacre of
political prisoners in 1988 by Mr. Hossein-Ali Montazeri, the 79-year-old senior cleric
who was for a decade the designated successor to the regime’s Supreme Leader,
Ruhollah Khomeini.
It can be said with certainty that documents that so clearly show that orders for
the massacre of thousands of political prisoners came from the highest authority in
the country and involved the top echelons of the government and part of the state
apparatus in a systematic and planned way are unique; there are no comparable
documents of this clarity in other instances brought before justice by the international
community in the past few decades.
With such compelling evidence readily available, the failure of the international
community - specifically the UN Security Council - to act promptly is wholly
unjustifiable and exposes it to charges of “double standards.”
If these crimes are to be left unpunished, a terrible injustice will have been
perpetrated upon the tens of thousands of victims and survivors of these crimes,
along with their families.
78
International Tribunal
79
Crime Against Humaity
in its Article 6, created three charges (Crimes Against Peace, War Crimes, and Crimes
Against Humanity), and prohibited the defense of superior orders and likewise
prohibited the defense of the Act of State.
It was the third charge - Crimes Against Humanity - which was the major
innovation among the charges. The Charter took a universalistic approach to these
crimes, namely that the crimes are so heinous and grave in nature that they become
“international crimes” against universally accepted concepts of morality.
To bolster international support for the Charter, another 19 states expressed
their adherence to its principles. The United Nations General Assembly, on December
11, 1946, unanimously affirmed the principles of the Nuremberg Charter. The
Charter’s principles thus became part of customary international law.
80
International Tribunal
which has beyond doubt become part of international customary law” includes the
Nuremberg Charter (Ibid., para. 35).
Moreover, crimes against humanity and the norms which regulate them form
part of jus cogens (fundamental norms). As such, they are peremptory norms of
general international law which, as recognized in Article 53 of the Vienna Convention
of the Law of Treaties (1969), cannot be modified or revoked by treaty or national
law. That article provides that “a peremptory norm of general international law is a
norm accepted and recognized by the international community of states as a whole
as a norm from which no derogation is permitted and which can be modified only by
a subsequent norm of general international law having the same character”.
81
Crime Against Humaity
[over torture] is probably already achieved under general international law” (Nigel
Rodley, The Treatment of Prisoners under International Law (Oxford: Clarendon
Press 1987) p. 107).
Every state which is a party to the UN Convention against Torture (including
the United Kingdom, Belgium, Chile, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland,
Sweden and the United States) is under a solemn duty under Article 7 (1) of that
treaty to extradite anyone found in its jurisdiction alleged to have committed torture
or to “submit the case to its competent authorities for the purpose of prosecution”.
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International Tribunal
jurisdiction over torture, extrajudicial executions, genocide and other crimes against
humanity and they have a duty to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice in
their own courts, to extradite them to a state willing to do so or to surrender them to
an international criminal court with jurisdiction over these crimes. The National
Council of Resistance of Iran once again draws the attention of all member-states of
the United Nations to the irrefutable evidence proving the massacre of thousands of
political prisoners in Iran in 1988, an act that clearly fits into the definition of crimes
against humanity. The NCR urges member-states to arrest and prosecute the leaders
of the Iranian regime, who are responsible for this crime.
83
VI
All we know for sure is when it began. The massacre of political prisoners in Iran
began on Wednesday, July 31, 1988. By the time it finally ended in January 1989,
the huge population of political prisoners throughout the country had been reduced
to an insignificant number of survivors.
Nobody really knows exactly how many political prisoners were executed in the
massacre. Even the top officials who were responsible for carrying out Khomeini’s
fatwa to liquidate political prisoners do not possess accurate figures as to how many
perished in the carnage. Khomeini’s written orders to religious judges and
revolutionary prosecutors across the country were explicit: “Annihilate the enemies
of Islam as quickly as you can.” In the great haste to fulfill his command, Khomeini’s
henchmen often did not bother with “details” such as recording or reporting the
exact number of executions, or even registering the identities of victims.
Over a decade later, hitherto undisclosed information about the massacre of
political prisoners in 1988 keeps popping up from Evin and Gohardasht prisons in
Tehran to prisons in remote parts of the country. The survivors of the holocaust are
few and, among them, some are still languishing in jails, while many have lost their
mental balance.
A former prisoner who spent 15 years in jail and witnessed the massacre said:
“It was autumn when they gathered the surviving prisoners from different prisons
of Tehran in Evin. The massacre machine was grinding to a halt, but sporadic
executions continued here or there. We were taken from Gohardasht prison to Evin.
Crime Against Humaity
The prison population in Evin was so badly decimated in the massacre that by now
we, the Gohardasht survivors, outnumbered the inmates in what had been, up to
then, by far the country’s largest and most populated prison.
“We still could not grasp the depth of the catastrophe. Our most dominating
feeling was one of shame and guilt for having stayed alive while so many had perished.
When they finally allowed family visits to resume after several months of isolating
prisoners from the outside world, we felt ashamed to face the visitors. By then news
of the massacre had reached the outside world. Our families were overjoyed to see
us alive, but we could feel the obvious question on their mind: why were we among
the few survivors of the carnage?
“We tried to make this inferno more bearable by collecting the names of victims.
We listed the names of 6,450 male inmates executed in Tehran’s prisons alone. We
had no knowledge of the number and names of executed women. But even as far as the
executed male prisoners in Tehran were concerned, our list was incomplete. We learnt
later of wards in Evin where all prisoners - down to the last man - had been executed,
with not a single survivor to tell the story. We did not even know their names...
“We made an attempt to send the list outside through the family of an inmate,
but it was discovered by the regime. The result of painstaking research and laborious
efforts to compile a comprehensive list of victims was destroyed.
“Some months later, we received information from other parts of the country,
from Shiraz, Mashad, Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Qom, Rasht, Babol, Sari, Ghaemshahr,
Zahedan, and so on. In the majority of these cities, all political prisoners had been
executed. In Tehran and in all other cities, thousand of ex-prisoners who had served
their sentences and been released years before that, were re-arrested and taken
directly to the ‘amnesty committee’ [These committees, set up for the summary trial
of prisoners, were nicknamed “death committees” by prisoners]... Those who were
not prepared to condemn the Mojahedin were taken to the gallows directly...”
86
Eyewitnesses Speak Out
Tehran. There he was warned by prison authorities that “we are going to settle scores
with all of you in a bloody way. Tell your fellow inmates they had better make up
their minds.”
Another ex-political prisoner, a witness to the massacre, says: “There is no
question that the carnage was planned well in advance. Long before it began, Lajevardi
and Haj Davood, head of the Qezel Hessar prison, repeatedly told us that if they felt
the regime’s existence was seriously in jeopardy, they would not leave a single prisoner
alive. We were told that they had put aside grenades to lob into every prison cell if
the prison came under attack by Resistance forces.”
Another prisoner wrote: “When it was announced that Khomeini had accepted
the cease-fire with Iraq on July 18, 1988, and described it as ‘drinking a chalice of
poison,’ they took us with all our belongings to solitary cells. The trend of transferring
prisoners to solitary cells was accelerated on July 24, a week before the massacre
began. On July 25 or 26, a prison guard came to our cell and gave us a form to fill in.
I was sharing the cell with Reza Shemirani and Amir Abdollahi, who were later
executed during the massacre. The form asked one’s name, surname, father’s name,
political tendency, whether one had been re-arrested, and one’s signature. In a highly
unusual way, the guard did not utter a word and left us to fill in the forms. We wrote
‘Mojahedin Organization’ as our ‘tendency’. When the guard returned, we were even
more surprised as he asked us why we had not written the name of the organization
in full. (Up to that time, if a prisoner mentioned the name of the ‘Mojahedin’, he or
she would be severely tortured.) So we wrote ‘People’s Mojahedin Organization of
Iran’ and handed him the completed forms. He smiled and walked out.”
An ex-political prisoner recalls the days preceding the launch of the massacre:
“The early signs of the regime’s decision to liquidate political prisoners surfaced in
the autumn of 1987, when prisoners were separated into two groups of Mojahedin
and non-Mojahedin. In Gohardasht prison, those condemned to life imprisonment
were transferred to Evin and the rest were divided into two groups of under- and
over-ten-year terms. Families of some prisoners were told that the prisoners’ fate
would be decided after June.”
Visits banned
The most ominous sign that something was afoot came in mid-July, when all of
a sudden family visits were banned. Families, anxious to hear about their loved ones’
fate in jails, were turned away from prison gates with no clear explanation. This
total darkness continued for three months.
Inside, guards spread the word that an “amnesty committee” had been formed,
which would interview each prisoner in order to issue a general amnesty. Few believed
the guards, but the move, coming in the wake of the ban on family visits, gave rise to
87
Crime Against Humaity
much speculation among prisoners as to what the real intentions of the regime were.
It did not take long for the truth to emerge.
88
Eyewitnesses Speak Out
When a prisoner was brought before the members of the death committee, he
would invariably be asked this question: “What is your political affiliation?”
Those who said “Mojahedin” would be told to leave; their names would be placed
in the “execution” column, which would then be carried out within hours or a day.
The ones who said “ Monafeqin” [regime’s derogatory term for the Mojahedin]
would then face further questions:
- Are you prepared to divulge and condemn the Monafeqin in a televised
interview?
- Are you prepared to fight the Monafeqin alongside the forces of the Islamic
Republic?
- Are you prepared to put the noose around the neck of an active member of the
Monafeqin?
- Are you prepared to clear minefields for the army of the Islamic Republic?
A negative answer to any one of these questions would be sufficient to guarantee
the execution of the prisoner.
Supporters of the Mojahedin were the first to face the death committee. Other
inmates received information on these “trials” through Morse messages.
Similar death committees had been formed in all provinces to implement
Khomeini’s orders for the mass execution of all Mojahedin prisoners.
89
Crime Against Humaity
90
Eyewitnesses Speak Out
and left for lunch. But when other guards lined up those whose ‘trial’ had finished to
take them to the gallows, Massoud was taken with them and was hanged in the
execution hall. After their lunch break, the guards called out Massoud Daliri’s name
to take him to the committee, only to find out that he had already been hanged.”
An ex-prisoner who witnessed the massacre writes: “In Evin I met a man named
Fat’hollah Pirkanaan, who came from a remote village in Gilan (northern Iran). He
was imprisoned on grounds of sympathizing with the Mojahedin. He was pressured
to condemn Mojahedin’s viewpoints, but he refused. They told him that all his fellow
activists had been executed, and that he would soon join them. He did not believe
them, until they took him to the basement of the infamous Ward 209, the main
torture chamber of Evin, and removed his blindfolds. He was shocked by the large
number of bodies of executed prisoners hanged there, so much so that for six months,
he did not utter a word on this to anyone.”
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Crime Against Humaity
“One day, as I was walking to the workshop, Ramezani rushed in a hurry and
pushed everybody into the wards or the courtyard. I was standing behind a door,
where I could hear a lot of people coming and going. I opened the door, but before
Ramezani saw me and kicked the door shut, I was able to catch a glimpse of a group
of haggard soldiers in rag-tag uniforms. Afterwards, we learnt that Iranian soldiers
who had disobeyed orders to fight the National Liberation Army in its operation
Eternal Light had been brought there and executed. Some of their families came to
Evin to visit them, but they were insulted and turned away by the Revolutionary
Guards. One of the Guards jeered them: ‘These cowards surrendered themselves to
women; they deserve to be executed...’
“The intensity of the executions was so much that it actually affected the guards
themselves. Even these cruel torturers, who had been tormenting and executing
prisoners for years, were astonished by this level of cruelty and barbarity. Haj Amjad,
a guard who used to quarrel with everybody and was famous for his short temper and
brutality, became unbelievably quiet and introverted after the carnage. He became a
chain smoker, always lost in deep thought. Another torturer named Mohammad
Allahbakhshi was in a similar situation. The same fate beset many others, who in the
past treated the prisoners harshly and brutally. The authorities never allowed such
guards to stay in prisons for long and transferred them to other places. They even
gave some of them a higher position in a bid to buy off their continuing loyalty.”
92
Eyewitnesses Speak Out
93
Crime Against Humaity
religious, because the former group had not been brought up as believers.
Consequently, the two men whose fathers had not prayed were spared, but the other
four were executed.”
Another witness writes: “The regime began dealing with other prisoners, but
not with the same ferocity as it had done with Mojahedin prisoners. They were often
asked about performing daily prayers. Those who did not pray were flogged. Marxists
had to convert to Islam, but a number of them were executed anyway...”
An ex-prisoner writes: “Towards the end of August, non-Mojahedin prisoners
also found their way to solitary cells. The main question concerning these people
was whether they were Muslim or atheist. They were not asked about their political
viewpoints. If somebody said he was an atheist, they would ask him whether his
father was also an atheist. If his father had been a Muslim, they would receive the
death penalty for apostasy. But if their father had been an atheist, they would receive
a lighter sentence. Those who told the committee that they were Muslims would be
sent back to their cells and would be told to perform religious duties, and for every
missed prayer, they would receive as many as 30 lashes a day. A large number refused
to pray in the beginning, but when they saw that the officials were serious and had
many of them flogged for not performing prayers, they grudgingly began to pray.
The officials assembled all these prisoners in two wards, and assigned a guard as
their prayer leader. All of them had to do common prayers with the guard.”
94
Eyewitnesses Speak Out
VII
Mass Graves
Discovery of scores of secret graves where the bodies of the victims of mass
executions were buried
The 1988 massacre gave rise to the phenomenon of mass graves. Every day hundreds
of people in Evin and more in Gohardasht and other prisons in Tehran and in prisons
all over Iran were being executed. The regime’s agents did not have the time to bury
them one by one, so the only way was to bury them in mass graves. This method had
been used occasionally in Tehran and other cities since 1981, but in 1988 it became
a systematic procedure in the major cities.
A witness recalls: “The scale of the massacre was so vast that bodies of the
executed were carried away on trucks to mass graves. I was able to see the truck
from between metal window shades covered with a canvas sheet in order to hide the
mess.”
Amnesty International recorded similar observations in its report: “One woman
described to AI how she had dug up the corpse of an executed man with her bare
hands as she searched for her husband’s body in Jadeh Khavaran cemetery in Tehran
in August 1988 in a part of the cemetery colloquially known as Lanatabad,(the place
of the damned), reserved for the bodies of executed political prisoners.”
The woman described the gruesome sight in her own words: “Groups of bodies,
some clothed, some in shrouds, had been buried in unmarked shallow graves in the
section of the cemetery reserved for executed leftist political prisoners. The stench
of the corpses was appalling but I started digging with my hands because it was
95
Crime Against Humaity
important for me and my two little children that I locate my husband’s grave.”
The Amnesty report added: “She unearthed a body with its face covered in blood
but when she cleaned it off she saw it was not her husband. Other relatives visiting
the graveyard discovered her husband’s grave some days latter. A member of a
communist group, he had been arrested in early 1985, tortured over several months
and convicted after a summary trial at which, as a result of his torture, he was barely
conscious. He never learned what his sentence was. His wife had been turned away
from Evin Prison on a regular visiting day in early August, and had then started her
quest for information which led her to the unmarked grave.”
A report dated February 3, 1996, said that during excavation by Avand
Construction Company in the Khavaran district of southern Tehran, a huge mass
grave was discovered. This mass grave contained hundreds of bodies of prisoners
executed in the summer of 1988. After the news spread, hundreds of people rushed
to the scene, but police and security forces sealed off the district and dispersed the
crowd by firing into the air. The next day a number of employees of the company
were arrested on charges of spreading the news.
In autumn 1988, officials would inform families of the execution of their loved
ones. In some cases, prison authorities informed relatives when they went to the
prison for routine visits with prisoners. This led to protests by the families who would
gather outside the prison, so alternative methods were sought. It seems that the
majority of relatives were informed by telephone that they should refer to Islamic
Revolutionary komitehs [a branch of Revolutionary Guards acting like a paramilitary
police force] to obtain information about their imprisoned relatives. There they would
be told of the execution and they would be further asked to give a written commitment
not to hold any funeral or remembrance services for the executed. Family members
would not be told where their loved ones were buried, and even if they managed to
find out, they would not be permitted to place a tombstone on the unmarked grave.
An Amnesty Internationa report noted: “An Iranian who left Iran in late 1988
told AI how his family had learned of the execution of his brother, Hossein. In
November 1988 the family received a telephone call instructing the father to go to
Evin Prison to receive information about Hossein. Hossein’s father and wife went to
the prison where they were told that Hossein had been executed because he was not
repentant and had not been improved by his imprisonment . They were not informed
where his body was, and were told that they should not hold any funeral ceremony.
“Hossein had been held in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj where he was serving a
15 year sentence for activities in support of the PMOI. Hossein had been arrested in
1981. His brother told AI that at that time Hossein had been involved in political
activities for the PMOI: collecting money and distributing leaflets and newspapers.
“The mother of a 39-year-old woman executed in Evin Prison wrote to AI
96
Mass Graves
describing a similar experience. Her daughter had been arrested in 1982 when she
was found in possession of leaflets produced by the PMOI. She had been tried by an
Islamic Revolutionary Court but never informed of the sentence passed on her. For
six years the mother had visited her daughter every two weeks. In early August 1988
her visits were stopped without explanation. In November 1988 she received a
telephone call telling her to go to the Islamic Revolutionary komiteh near Beheshte
Zahra cemetery, where she was informed of her daughter’s execution. She was
instructed not to hold any mourning ceremony and was not informed where the
body was buried.”
A former political prisoner says: “In the month of Mehr (beginning September
23) family visits that had been suspended before the beginning of the massacre
resumed. In the meeting hall, prison officials were keeping a watchful eye on the
prisoners to make sure they would not inform their relatives of the massacre. But
the families were already informed, and even tried to raise their spirits. Families
managed to signal to the prisoners that relatives of the executed had gathered in
front of Gohardasht Prison. But the regime had refused to inform them of the fate of
their loved ones, and so the families began protesting. The families were told that
their imprisoned relatives were executed because they wanted to stage an uprising
in the prison and raise slogans against the Imam and Islam. Meanwhile, relatives,
especially mothers, suffered a lot, and a number of them died of heart attacks. Others
cursed the agents with hatred. Afraid of the spread of the protests, the regime acted
quickly and dispersed the families.”
Another witness testifies: “ I was told by the mothers of the martyrs that when
they came to Evin to ask about their children, they had decided between themselves
that if they were told of their loved ones’ execution, they would not weep or mourn
in front of the regime’s agents. When a mother, on being told that her son had been
executed, just said ‘let us thank the Almighty,’ the agents became furious...”
The relatives of prisoners executed during this period began to gather regularly
in Beheshte Zahra cemetery in Tehran on Fridays. The mother of a 42-year-old man,
who had been arrested in 1983 and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment before being
executed in Karaj prison, wrote to her daughter outside Iran about one of these
gatherings: “On Friday all the mothers along with family members got together and
we went to the graveyard. What a day of mourning; it was like Ashura! [ a religious
occasion of particular importance to Shi’a Muslims, commemorating the martyrdom
of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Hossein]. Mothers came with pictures of theirs
sons; one had lost five sons and daughters-in-law. Finally, the Guards came and
dispersed us.”
A former prisoner testifies: “In December [1988] we were finally permitted to
have a visit. It was a bewildering sight. Families came to visit us with such a high
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Crime Against Humaity
morale. I remember my father and my mother came to visit me. They had been sent
several times from Gohardasht to Evin and back and finally in a desperate call at
Gohardasht they were able to see me. My father looked me in the eyes when our
interphone communication was established and asked why I was still smiling. I said
what else could I do? He told me it was fine to be always smiling and cited a verse
from the Quran and continued: ‘Do you know what happened to Hassan (my
brother)?’ I said yes. He said he was happy with what the Almighty had decided for
him. I was surprised to see a father say this on the death of his son.”
98
Mass Graves
The mass graves listed on the following pages are located in different cities across
the country. They have been located by local residents, eyewitnesses, former
prisoners, families of victims, or from testimonies by former prison officials.
99
Crime Against Humaity
I - Grave site
Susangerd-Ahwaz highway., Past Afagh village, near Jihad cemetery.
II- Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
August 1988
IV -Names of some of the victims
1 - Ehterami, Seyyed Mehdi
2- Fatemi, Seyyed Mohammad
3 - Firooz-Zadeh
4 - Hadi pour
5 - Hessami, Seifollah
6 - Kalakach, Massoud
7 - Kalantar, Ardeshir
8 - Ka’abi, Jaber
9 - Makyandi, Bijan
10 - Moussapour, Bahman
11 - Rassulnejad, Saleh Susangerd Junction
12 - Shahin
To Susangerd
Afagh Village
4.5 KM
Jihad Cemetery
Mass Grave
100
Mass Graves
I- Grave site
This mass grave is on Kut Abdollah Rd., near Behesht Abad cemetery.
II- Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III - Date of burial
August 3, 1988
IV - Names of some of the victims
1- Abbasian, Behrooz
2 - Afri, Zahra
3 - Ahmadian Moghadass, Ahmad
4 - Akhlaghi, Zahra
5 - Bagheri, Mehrdad
6 - Bagheri, Parvin
7 - Bagheri, Zeinab
8 - Dehghanzadeh, Mahmoud
9 - Faridan-Esfahani, Sadeq
10 - Ghahremanj, Bijan
11 - Havaji-Nia, Farhang
12 - Kafi-Tehrani, Jaber
13 - Keykavoosi, Fereidoon
14 - Makvandi, Gholam Hossein
15 - Omidian, Mohammad Reza
16 - Salehi, Ali-Akbar
17 - Sharaf Assadi, Bahram
18 - Sharifi, Changiz
Behesht Abad
Cemetery
Victims are 2 KM
buried here.
Victims are (Cemented area)
buried here.
(Cemented area)
101
Crime Against Humaity
I - Grave site
Near Chaharshir police station, Ramhormuz junction
II - Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
August 3, 1988
IV - Names of some of the victims
1 - Afshar, Akbar
2 - Layegh, Shahpour
3 - Mohammad-Rezaii, Azim
4 - Rashidian, Gholam-Hossein
Ahwaz Chaharshir
102
Mass Graves
I - Grave site
Amol, Taleb Amoli St., next to Amol sports stadium. A 4-5 km stretch of dirt
road,
II- Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
October 1988
IV - Names of victims
1 - Afzali, Ismail
2 - Izadi, Mahmoud
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To Mahmoud-Abad and
Caspian coast
103
Crime Against Humaity
I - Grave site
Most graves located on Arak-Boroujed Highway, 5 km outside Arak .
II - Number of victims
Dozens buried here.
III- Date of burial:
Unknown
IV - Names of victims
1 - Dajgah, Jamshid
2 - Ms. Dajgah (Jamshid’s sister)
3 - Sharifi, Majid
I- Grave site
Kalvir public cemetery in Bandar Anzali.
II- Number of victims
A group of 20 and a group of 30 (possibly all women) are buried here.
III- Date of burial
August 1988
IV - Names of some of the victims
1- Abedi
2- Azad
3- Babri
4- Bagheri
5- Houshmand
6- Key Azad
7- Sami
8- Senjedian
9- Shahrebani, Reza
10- Shokoufeh
11- Yavari
104
Mass Graves
I - Grave site
Ab-Kenar neighborhood, newly built prison. Mass grave is located in the
middle of prison yard.
II- Number of victims
At least 16 victims from Ab-Kenar neighborhood.
III- Date of burial:
After the cease-fire in the Iran-Iraq war in Summer 1988.
I - Grave site
2 km from Borazjan-Gonaveh highway., on the right side of the road, near a
shrine.
II - Number of victims
Dozens buried here.
III- Date of burial:
August 1988
IV - Names of victims
1- Bahadori, from Kazeroon, Bekr vilIage.
Gatchsaran cemetery
II- Number of victims Taleghani
Dozens buried here. Tech. School
IV - Names of victims
I - Barazandeh, Masoumeh
2 - Masihi, Parviz Mass Grave
3 - Taghavi, Moussa
4- Zamani, Farhad
105
Crime Against Humaity
106
Mass Graves
I- Gravesite
City cemetery, Malayer highway, Bagh-e-Behesht Zahra, on the right hand
side of the highway, past war victims’ graves.
II - Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III - Date of burial City’s Cemetery
July 1988
War Victims Block
IV - Names of victims
Martyrs Graves
1 - Khorshid Vash, Abbas
2 - Rayhani, Ahmad
Malayer Highway
3 - Sabouhi, Jalil
V- Remarks
The victims are buried on the western and northern ends of the cemetery.
Most tomb stones are intact, with the date of execution written on them,
I - Grave site
Isfahan, Bagh-e Rezvan cemetery, Block 41
II - Number of victims
More than 350 are buried here.
III- Date of burial
Aug-Sept 1988
IV - Names of victims
1- Ahmadi, Fariba
2- Ahmadi, Farahnaz
3- Ahmadi, Mohammad
4- Asgari, Siroos
5- Assadi, Nader
6- Moniri, Abdolnar
107
Crime Against Humaity
I - Grave site
Isfahan, Bagh-e Rezvan cemetery, blocks 5, 7, 8 & 9
II- Number of victims
Dozens buried here.
III- Date of burial
October 1988
IV - Names ofvictims
1- Abbasi, Abdolreza
2- Abbasi, Mehrdad
3- Forouzandeh, Saied
4- Gol-Mohammadi, Ezzatollah
5- Keivani, Iraj
6- Sheidaii, Mansour
I - Grave site
Road between Joupar and Kerman in Behesht-e Zahra cemetery known as
“Rah-Joupari Behesht-e Zahra”. There are 14 graves on whose stones the year 1989
is marked. These are mass graves of political prisoners who were executed at this
site during the night. Eight graves are in one row and six are in one column,
perpendicular to one another.
II - Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
March 1988
IV - Names of victims
1 - Kaffash-pour, Houshang (serving 5-year sentence), from Jiroft,
2 - Mirsardo, Lotfali (serving 5-year sentence), from Jiroft,
3 - Kamrani, Houshang (serving 30-year sentence), from Jiroft,
4 - Akbari, Mahmoud (serving 7-year sentence), from Jiroft,
5 - Ghanbari, Houshang (serving 5-year sentence), from Jiroft,
6 - Babaji, Alireza (serving 16-year sentence),
7 - Massoudi-far Alireza (serving 15-year sentence), from Bam,
108
Mass Graves
I - Grave site
Bagh-e Ferdows, Silo St., near children’s graves, west of the city’s cemetery.
The regime has named it “La’nat Abad” (The place of the damned),
II- Number of victims
Dozens buried here.
III- Date of burial
November 1988, January 1989
IV - Names of victims
1 - Kashanian, Kiomars
2 - Kashanian, Parichehr
3 - Dowlatshahi, Victoria
4 - Amiri, Nasrin
V - Remarks
Graves have no names Mass Graves
To Bagh-e Ferdows
or identifications.
Farmanfarma
Main
Jalili St.
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Crime Against Humaity
I- Grave site
Lahijan, West Kashef St., Karvansarabar neighborhood, Agha Seyyed Morteza
cemetery.
II- Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
August 1988
IV - Names of victims
1- Assadi, Hojjat
2- Bahr Kazemi, Nosrat
3- Bavar, Ali
4- Bijan, Mehrdad
5- Hassan Zadeh, Ghassem
6- Hojrati, Zaman
7- Jalili, Bahram
8- Jameji, Alireza
9- Kargar Shoaii-Roui, Reza (Fereidoon)
10- Karimi, Hassan
11- Latifi, Hojjat
12- Mehdi-Zadeh, Majid
13- Mehdipour, Mohammad
14- Mirzaii, Parviz
15- Moussapour, Hossein
16- Rahbar Khah, Yahya
17- Ramezanpour, Hamid Reza
18- Sami’zadegan, Mohammad
19- Sedaghat, Sajed
20- Tabesh, Hassan
21- Zamani, Geda-Ali
V- Remarks
There are three mass graves, 2 by 10 meters in size, which have been covered
with concrete.
110
Mass Graves
I- Grave site
“La’nat Abad”, Asgharieh Rd., Past Hashem Abad
II- Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
Unknown
I- Grave site
Radio & TV Ave., city’s cemetery, opposite the Radio & TV building.
II- Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
July & October 1988
IV - Names of victims
1 - Gholami, Parvin
2- Khalil-Zadeh, Davoud
3- Nour, Narges
4- Saljooghi, Rasoul
5 - Shakeri, Bahman
Mass Graves
Radio & TV Building
Radio & TV St.
City’s Cemetery
To Salmas Highway
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I - Grave site
When entering the Imamzadeh (shrine), left-hand side on top of the hill, 500-
700 meters.
II- Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
Mostly in Aug.-Sept. 1988
IV - Names of victims
1- Dabeshlim, Nader 14- Kiaii, Jalal
2- Dadvand, Mohammad 15- Lahafati, Ali Ashraf
3- Dr. Shafiee, Shahsavar 16- Morovvati, Mohammad Nabi
4- Ebrahimi, Hamed 17- Naderi, Ebadollah
5- Eslami, Fariba 18- Ne’mati, Moussa
6- Fahimian, Faisal 19- Pour-Norooz, Behzad
7- Fassihi, Jalil 20- Pour-Norooz, Siroos
8- Fatollahi, Attaollah 21- Rahmati, Marzieh
9- Fatollahi, Hojjat 22- Rajabi, Nasrin
10- Ghambari, Faraj 23- Rashidi, Ali
11- Ghanbari, Mohammad 24- Rizehvandi, Maliheh
12- Hatami, Nouroddin 25- Siah Bidi, Amir
13- Karim-Beigi, Hedayat 26- Sima-Nejad, Mehryar
Mass Graves
To Mehran
112
Mass Graves
Sids St.
About 1,000 victims are buried here. Water
storage
III- Remarks tank
Mass Grave
New Graves
I- Grave site
Tabriz, Rah Ahan St., Vadi-Rabmat cemetery and the cemetery behind Tabriz
expressway.
II- Number of victims
Hundreds buried here.
III- Date of burial
October 1988
IV- Names of victims
1- Assiaban, Khosrow
2- Badri, Nasser
3- Jalil-Zadeh, Jahangir
4- Moezzi, Hassan
V- Remarks
Certain sections in Tabriz cemetery have been named by the regime as “La’nat
Shodeh” (damned) and “Nefrin Shodeh”. The regime covered the graves with dirt,
but the families have put some tomb stones which the Guards have since broken.
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VIII
A Shocked World
Watches in Disbelief
The following are examples of reports and resolutions by the United Nations and
NGOs on the massacre of political prisoners in 1988.
IRAN
VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1987 - 1990
115
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reports of executions to a massive wave of killings which took place over several
months. Even now, two years after these events, it is still not clear how many people
died during the six-month period from July 1988 to January 1989. Amnesty
International has recorded the names of over 2,000 political prisoners reportedly
executed during this period. Iranian opposition groups, such as the PMOI, have
suggested that the total was much higher. Speaking on French television in February
1989, Hojatoleslam Rafsanjani is reported to have said that “the number of political
prisoners executed in the past few months was less than 1,000” (Iran Yearbook 89/
90).
Since these events took place, Amnesty International has interviewed dozens of
relatives of execution victims, and a number of former political prisoners who were
in prison at the time when the mass killngs were taking place. It has received written
information from many Iranians who believe that their friends or relatives were
among the victims. These accounts, taken together with statements by Iranian
Government personalities, have convinced Amnesty International that during this
six-month period the biggest wave of political executions since the early 1980s took
place in Iranian prisons.
Two important political events preceded the executions, On 18 July 1988
Ayatollah Khomeini announced his intention to accept UN Security Council
Resolution 598 instituting a ceasefire in the Gulf War between Iran and Iraq. A few
days later, the National Liberation Army, a military force formed by the Iraq-based
opposition group, the PM0I, staged an armed incursion into western Iran which was
repulsed by the Iranian army.
It has been suggested to Amnesty International by former prisoners that both
these events may have influenced the government’s decision to carry out these
executions at this time. The ceasefire in the Gulf War meant that international
attention was focused on international developments and not on the situation of
political prisoners in Iran. The armed incursion by a PM0I force at a time when the
Iranian Government had signalled its intention to cease fighting in the Gulf War
gave the authorities a motive to take reprisals against prisoners associated with the
PMOI who had been held in prisons around the country, often for several years.
Former prisoners have also said that political prisoners were warned by their captors
that when the war was over they would be “dealt with”.
President Khamenei spoke in December 1988 of the decision taken by the Iranian
authorities to execute “those who have links from inside prison with the hypocrites
[PMOI] who mounted an armed attack inside the territory of the Islamic Republic”.
An open letter to Amnesty International from the Permanent Mission of the Islamic
Republic of Iran to the UN in New York stated:
‘Indeed, authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran have always denied the
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A Shocked World Watches in Disbelief
existence of any political executions, but that does not contradict other subsequent
statements which have confirmed that spies and terrorists have been executed.” (UN
document A/44/153, 28 February 1989)
The political executions took place in many prisons in all parts of Iran~ often far
from where the armed incursion took place. Most of the executions were of political
prisoners, including an unknown number of prisoners of conscience, who had already
served a number of years in prison. They could have played no part in the armed
incursion, and they were in no position to take part in spying or terrorist activities.
Many of the dead had been tried and sentenced to prison terms during the early
1980s, many for non-violent offences such as distributing newspapers and leaflets,
taking part in demonstrations or collecting funds for prisoners’ families. Many of
the dead had been students in their teens or early twenties at the time of their arrest.
The maiority of those killed were supporters of the PMOI, but hundreds of members
and supporters of other political groups~ including various factions of the PFOI, the
Tudeh Party, the KDPI, Rah-e Kargar and others, were also among the execution
victims.
The first sign that something was happening in the prisons came in July 1988
when family visits to political prisoners were suspended. This was the beginning of
months of uncertainty and anguish for prisoners relatives as rumours began to spread
that mass executions of political prisoners were taking place.
No news of the political prisoners was heard for about three months. Relatives
would go to prisons on regular visiting days only to be turned away by prison guards.
Some brought clothing, medicines or money to the prisons hoping to get a signed
receipt from their imprisoned relatives as an indication that they were still alive.
Reports circulated among prisoners’ relatives that execution victims were being
buried in mass graves. Distraught family members searched the cemeteries for signs
of newly dug graves which might contain their relatives’ bodies.
One woman described to Amnesty International how she had dug up the corpse
of an executed man with her bare hands as she searched for her husband’s body in
Jadeh Khavaran cemetery in Tehran in August 1988 in a part of the cemetery known
colloquially as Lanatabad, (the place of the damned), reserved for the bodies of
executed political prisoners.
“Groups of bodies, some clothed, some in shrouds, had been buried in unmarked
shallow graves in the section of the cemetery reserved for executed leftist political
prisoners. The stench of the corpses was appalling but I started digging with my
hands because it was important for me and my two little children that I locate my
husband’s grave.”
She unearthed a body with its face covered in blood but when she cleaned it off
she saw that it was not her husband. Other relatives visiting the graveyard discovered
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her husband’s grave some days later. A member of a communist group, he had been
arrested in early 1985, tortured over several months and convicted after a summary
trial at which, as a result of his torture, he was barely conscious. He never learned
what his sentence was. His wife had been turned away from Evin Prison on a regular
visiting day in early August, and had then started her quest for information which
led her to the unmarked grave.
In October and November 1988 the authorities began to inform families of the
execution of their relatives. In a few cases prison officials informed relatives of the
execution when they went to the prison for a normal family visit. This led to protests
by prisoners relatives who gathered outside prisons, so other methods were devised.
The majority of relatives appear to have been informed by telephone that they should
go to an Islamic Revolutionary Committee office to receive news about their
imprisoned relatives. There they were informed of the execution and required to
sign undertakings that they would not hold a funeral or any other mourning
ceremony. Family members were not informed where their relatives were buried,
and even if they managed to find out they were not permitted to erect a gravestone.
An Iranian who left Iran in late 1988 told Amnesty International how his family
had learned of the execution of his brother, Hossein. In November 1988 the family
received a telephone call instructing the father to go to Evin Prison to receive
information about Hossein. Hossein’s father and wife went to the prison where they
were told that Hossein had been executed because he was not repentant and had not
been improved by his imprisonment. They were not informed where his body was,
and were told that they should not hold any funeral ceremony.
Hossein had been held in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj where he was serving a 15-
year sentence for activities in support of the PMOI. Hossein had been arrested in
1981. His brother told Amnesty International that at that time Hossein had been
involved in political activities for the PMOI: collecting money and distributing leaflets
and newspapers. His brother is convinced that Hossein was not involved in violent
activities.
The mother of a 39-year-old woman executed in Evin Prison wrote to Amnesty
International describing a similar experience. Her daughter had been arrested in
1982 when she had been found in possession of leaflets produced by the PMOI. She
had been tried by an Islamic Revolutionary Court but never informed of the sentence
passed on her. For six years the mother had visited her daughter every two weeks. In
early August 1988 her visits were stopped without explanation. In November 1988
she received a telephone call telling her to go to the Islamic Revolutionary Committee
office near Beheshteh Zahra cemetery, where she was informed of her daughter’s
execution. She was instructed not to hold any mourning ceremony and was not
informed where the body was buried.
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and news of similar events in these prisons spread among the inmates in Dastgerd.
Prisoners in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj appear to have had a much clearer
picture of the events which were taking place. Former prisoners have described to
Amnesty International how a commission made up of representatives from the
Islamic Revolutionary Courts, the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry
of Intelligence began to subject all political prisoners to a form of retrial in July
1988.
These “retrials” bore little resemblance to judicial proceedings aimed at
establishing the guilt or innocence of a defendant with regard to a recognized criminal
offence under the law. Instead, they appear to have been formalized interrogation
sessions designed to discover the political views of the prisoner in order that prisoners
who did not “repent” should be executed — the punishment of all those who continued
to oppose the government.
In Gohardasht Prison those detained for their alleged support for the PMOI were
reportedly the first to go before the commission. Other prisoners received information
about the “trials” from PMOI prisoners by way of messages tapped on walls in Morse
code from room to room inside the prison. According to one prisoner held there at
that time, the first question asked by the commission was: “What is your political
affiliation?” Those who answered “Mojahedin” were sent to their deaths. The “correct”
answer was “ monafegin” (hypocrites). Those prisoners who survived this first phase
of interrogation were then subjected to a second series of questions. These included
questions such as:
- Are you willing to give an interview on television to condemn and expose the
monafegin?
- Are you willing to fight with the forces of the Islamic Republic against the
monafegin?
- Are you willing to put a noose around the neck of an active member of the
monafegin?
- Are you willing to clear the minefields for the army of the Islamic Republic?
The majority of prisoners were reportedly unwilling to give the desired responses
and were consequently sent for execution. Some 200 out of 300 PMOI prisoners in
Sections 3 and 4 of Gohardasht Prison were killed following this type of interrogation.
The interrogations were reportedly conducted in such a way as to trick prisoners
into making statements revealing their opposition to the government.
The prisoners named the interrogators the “Death Commission”. It came to
Gohardasht Prison three times a week, arriving by helicopter. The same commission
was also reportedly at work in Evin Prison.
At the end of August 1988 the “Death Commission” turned its attention to the
prisoners from leftist groups held in Gohardasht Prison. These included supporters
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A Shocked World Watches in Disbelief
of the Tudeh Party, various factions of the PFOI, and others. The interrogations
followed a similar pattern, with prisoners being asked if they were prepared to make
public statements criticizing the political organization with which they had been
associated. The leftist prisoners were also asked about their religious faith. They
were asked such questions as: Do you pray? Do you read the Quran? Did your father
read the Quran?
One eye-witness of an interrogation in C~ohardasht Prison described how he
was taken before the ‘Death Commission” with five other prisoners. The six were
asked if they prayed or read the Qur’an: they replied that they did not. They were
then asked whether their fathers had read the Qur’an. Four of them answered “yes”
and two of them “no” After some discussion between members of the commission,
it was decided that those who had not been brought up in a religious family were not
as guilty as those whose parents were religious, because the former group had not
been brought up as believers. Consequently, the two men whose fathers had not
prayed were spared, but the four others were executed.
According to another eye-witness account of this period in Gohardasht Prison,
the decisions about which prisoners were to be executed and which spared were
arbitrary in the extreme. Some prisoners who had been sentenced to death by the
commission were spared because prison guards sent prisoners whom they disliked
to be executed in their place. There was also a great deal of confusion as prisoners
were transferred from different prisons~ and from section to section within the
prison. As a result of such confusion prisoners were sometimes executed by mistake.
The same eye-witness estimates that out of 900 PMOI and 600 leftist prisoners
in Gohardasht Prison at the beginning of the summer of 1988, 600 PMOI prisoners
and 200 leftist prisoners were executed. In Evin Prison, where the execution of
prisoners was going on simultaneously, the proportion of executions carried out from
the total population of political prisoners was much higher. One reason suggested
for this is that in Evin there was no way for prisoners to communicate with each
other, so they were unable to prepare answers to questions put to them by the “Death
Commission” as prisoners in Gohardasht had done.
A similar pattern of purposeful mass killing of political opponents, beginning
with the PMOI but encompassing alleged supporters of other opposition groups,
took place in dozens of other prisons around the country in the second half of 1988.
Among others, Amnesty International has received reports of hundreds of executions
of prisoners from Kurdish opposition groups in Orumieh Prison, and of 50 being
executed in Sanandaj.
Ayatollah Montazeri’s letters to Ayatollah Khomeini in July 1988 reportedly
criticized many of the aspects of the mass executions identified by former prisoners.
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Ayatollah Montazeri commented on the arbitrary way in which life and death
decisions were taken:
“He [Ayatollah Montazeri] cited the case of a provincial mullah who had
complained that a prisoner who had fully recanted was executed anyway. The
prisoner, who was not named, said in response to the tribunal questions that he was
ready to publicly condemn his past opposition, and to go to, the Gulf War front as
well. But when he refused to declare his readiness to go to the minefields, the tribunal
decided he had not truly changed and had him executed.” (Reuters, 29 March 1989)
In a later letter, dated 15 August 1988, Ayatollah Montazeri is reported to have
demanded of the Minister of Intelligence, the Prosecutor General and the Chief
Justice: “On what criteria are you now executing people who have not been sentenced
to death?”(Reuters, 29 March 1989)
Ayatollah Montazeri’s letters show that there was awareness at the highest level
of the government that “thousands” of summary executions were taking place without
regard to constitutional and judicial procedures. The authorities were therefore either
unable to prevent these mass killings from taking place, or they did not wish to do
so.
The mass killing of political prisoners appears to have stopped at the beginning
of 1989, when several hundred repentant political prisoners were included in
amnesties to mark the 10th anniversary of the Islamic Republic’s foundation in
February 1979. Those who were released had to sign statements denouncing their
earlier political activities. They were further obliged to pledge large sums of money,
or in some cases the deeds of the family house, against their future good conduct
and non-involvement in opposition politics. The amnesty brought to an end a period
of six to eight months which saw a massive reduction in the numbers of political
prisoners in Iran through executions.
Since February 1989 sporadic reports of executions of the government’s political
opponents in Iran have been received by Amnesty International. Some of these
executions have taken place in public. For example, in March 1989 Mohammad and
Saeed Khan Naroui were hanged from a crane in Abbas Ali Square in Gorgan. They
had been imprisoned since 1984 for “inciting the people to revolt”.
On 28 March 1990 the execution of two men described as “bandits” was
announced by the Islamic Republic News Agency. Abbas Raisi and Ahmad Jangi
Razhi were found guilty by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Zahedan of
“collaborating with bandits and counter-revolutionaries in the Baluchistan area” ( BBC
Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 March 1990)
Secret executions of political prisoners have also been reported. Following the
assassination in July 1989 of the leader of the KDPI, Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou, in
circumstances which suggest the involvement of the Iranian Government, resistance
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124
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125
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E/CN. 4/1989/25
page 28
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145. On the same day, the list of 302 persons was communicated to
the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United
Nations Office at Geneva.
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(f) It was further alleged that on the night of 15/16 May 1988 a
large number of Iraqi prisoners of war were found killed, their feet
bound with ropes, in the Mawat region in northern Iraq.
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2. Written information
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130
A Shocked World Watches in Disbelief
131
IX
A List of Victims
Hitherto unpublished list of names and particulars of 3,208 victims of the massacre
The following pages contain the names and particulars of over 3,200 political
prisoners who were executed during the massacre of 1988. The photographs of more
than 200 of the victims also appear on these pages.
The list represents only about 10 percent of the total number of victims, but the
task of collection of information on the executed prisoners has been excruciatingly
difficult and fraught with danger. For the sake of the safety of many of the sources of
the information regarding the list, we are unable to reveal the details of how the
information has been collected, processed, double-checked and finalized. Suffice it
to mention that several prisoners and other Mojahedin activists in Iran have lost
their lives while working on this project.
The clerical authorities went to amazing lengths to prevent any leak to the outside
world of the news of the massacre. All prisons across the country were placed in a
state of emergency on the day the carnage began. All leaves for the personnel were
canceled until further notice. All telephone lines were cut except one that was used
by the death committee. All guards and staff members with knowledge of the massacre
had to participate personally in the killings, so that they would be party to the crimes
and would not reveal their knowledge afterwards. In many prisons and wards,
Crime Against Humanity
prisoners were executed to the last person to ensure that the secrets would be buried
for ever.
Only a few prisoners have emerged to tell the shocking tales of what went on
inside the mullahs’ jails in the second half of 1988. Non-governmental organizations
such as Amnesty International have also received eyewitness reports and interviewed
former prisoners. These witnesses, coming from different prisons in Iran, tell a story
that is the same in all its major aspects and varies only in details that are specific to
every prison.
The present list of victims, while incomplete, does provide a representative
sample of the executed prisoners. A statistical breakdown reveals that 38 percent of
the victims were hanged, 48 percent were executed by firing squads, and 14 percent
were killed under a variety of circumstances: some died under torture, some were
murdered when the guards blew up part of the prison, and some were hanged in
public.
There are numerous reports of political prisoners who were hanged in public
during that time. Groups of Mojahedin prisoners, varying in number between seven
and 20, were hanged in the full view of the people in the cities of Kermanshah, Harsin,
Ilam, Dezful, Garmsar, Saveh, Varamin, Karaj, Tabriz, Mashad, Bandar-Abbas, etc.
As last as early 1989, political prisoners were reportedly being hanged in public under
the pretext of drug trafficking.
Of the victims listed here, 35 percent were executed in Tehran, the majority of
them in Evin prison. Fourteen percent were executed in Gohardasht prison in Karaj.
Forty-six percent were killed in provincial jails. The place of execution of five percent
is unknown.
According to former prisoners, only 300 inmates out of the thousands who were
being held in Gohardasht survived the killings by mid-September 1988. They were
all transferred to Evin.
More than Forty percent of the victims listed here were executed within three
weeks after the executions began in late July.
Of the more than 3,000 victims in this list, the Iranian regime has officially
announced the execution of only 354 of them.
Victims include teenagers as young as 13 and 15. Twenty-five percent of the
victims were under 25 years old. Fifty-eight percent were under 30. Many like Saeed
Daniali, Ahmad-Ali Vahabzadeh, and Massoud Darabi had been in jail since the time
when they were only 13 years old.
More than fifteen percent of the victims held university degrees.
Twenty of the victims listed here were over 50. A 60-year-old woman, Sadat
Hosseini, was executed in Shiraz. Another woman, known as Mother Shokri, was
arrested after she protested the execution of her children. She was tortured to the
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A List of Victims
point of becoming paralyzed and was then executed in Qaemshahr, northern Iran.
Mohammad Ebrahim Rajabi, 58, father of seven, was executed in Gorgan, after five
years in jail. Her daughter, Parvaneh, was executed in 1981.
Mrs. Fatemeh Zarei in Shiraz, Shahbaz Shahbazi in Rudsar, Zohreh Einol-Yaghin
in Isfahan were among Mojahedin candidates in the first post-revolutionary elections
in 1980. Other victims, such as Ashraf Ahmadi, Mohammad Golpayegani, Qolamali
Rahbari, Ali Tab, Mehdi Jalalian, and Parviz Zolfaqari were political prisoners under
the Shah’s regime.
Many servicemen and members of the mullahs’ armed forces, who supported
the Mojahedin, were among the victims of the massacre. Col. Mir Fakhrai, Major
Khalil Minai (ground forces), Major Maghsoudi, Seyed Mohammad Ziai (officer in
the navy), Seyed Ahmad Seyedian (airborne special forces, 23rd Nohed Division),
Hossein Razaghi (commando in the ground forces) and Mohammad Mirza-
Mohammadi (police corporal) were among them.
The wide range of professional background of the victims is another indication
of how deeply the massacre cut into Iranian society, leaving practically no family
unscathed in a country where extensive families are still predominant. The victims
include workers, farmers, businessmen, physicians, military personnel, engineers,
accountants, teachers, university professors, sports champions, and the list goes on.
In the city of Tabriz, the regime’s agents hanged in public two physicians who
sympathized with the Mojahedin, Dr. Firooz Saremi, a Cancer specialist, and Dr.
Tabibi Nejad, an obstetrician. Both were in their 50s.
The geographical distribution of the executions shows that every region of the
country was affected by the massacre. In some major provincial cities thousands
were executed during the killings.
Another shocking reality about the carnage is that many families were wiped
out in their entirety by the executioners. Some families lost three, four and even up
to ten of their members. The Shoja’i family in Shahr-e Kord, central Iran, has lost 12
of its members. In Zanjan, the execution of Jaafar Hariri in 1988 raised the number
of victims of executions in this family to six. In Isfahan, two sisters and a brother,
Fariba, Farahnaz and Mohammad Ahmadi, were executed on August 3, 1988. The
other brother, Mansour, was executed in Shiraz a month later.
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5 Abbass Zadeh Seromi Majid 31 M Some Sara Univ.s. Aug. 88 Rasht Hang
6 Abbassi Hafez M Aug. 88 Evin Hang
7 Abbassi Hossein 30 M Hashtpar Tavalesh H.s.dip. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang
(Bahman)
8 Abbassi Sirouss M 1988 Evin Hang
9 Abbassi Abdolreza M Halabcheh H.s.dip. Aug. 4, 88 Isfahan Hang
Soleiman
13 Abbassi Gholamreza M Masjed Soleiman H.s.dip. Aug. 6, 88 Isfahan Hang.
14 Abbassi M. Javad 26 M Tehran S. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
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A List of Victims
Ruzbehani
36 Abdoli Kamali Majid 25 M Dec. 28. 88 Tabriz Ex.
37 Abdollahi Javad 37 M Tabriz H.s.dip. Aug. 88 Tabriz Hang.
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138
A List of Victims
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159 Alavi Seyyed Reza 26 M Deh-kohneh H.s. Dip. Dec. 88 Bushehr F.s.
160 Alavi Mehrdad 24 M Lahijan S. Jan. 89 Rasht Ex
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A List of Victims
162 Ali Akbarian Kahani Majid 28 M Ghouchan H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Vakilabad Hang.
163 Ali Beik (Beik Ali) Ali Akbar 25 M Aug. 6. 88 Evin Hang.
164 Ali Mohammadi Mohammad 29 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
174 Alirezania Mohammad Reza 23 M Shahr-e Ray H.s. S. Dec. 11, 88 Evin Hang.
175 Alizadeh Mohammad Taqi 21 M Kouchesfahan H.s. S. 1988 Rasht F.s.
176 Alizadeh Sha’ban Ali 30 M Babol H.s. Dip. Nov. 88 Babol Hang
180 Alizadeh Zahed-sefat Qassem 28 M Orumieh H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Orumeih F.s.
181 Alizaghi Zia 33 M Najaf S. Nov. 11, 88 Gohardasht Hang
182 Allahyari Sartip M 1988 Evin Ex.
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219 Amiri (Amini) Mohsen 32 M Shahzand Arak B.s. Sep. 88 Arak Ex.
220 Amirian Kiomars 20 M Sonqor 1988 Gohardasht Ex.
221 Amjad Majid M Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
225 Amouzgar Reza 34 M Fasa H.s.dip. Oct. 10, 88 Adel Abad F.s.
226 Amouzgar Ali 34 M Shiraz H.s.dip. Nov. 29, 88 Shiraz F.s.
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A List of Victims
252 Arab Taheri Ali Asghar 25 M Gorgan H.s.dip. 1988 Gorgan F.s.
253 Arab Vaziri Alireza 30 M P.dip. Sep. 88 Semnan Hang
254 Arabi Bahman 24 M Garmsar H.s.dip. Jan. 89 Garmsar F.s.
255 Arabi Kheder Mehdi 26 M Khadar-shandiz H.s.dip. 1988 Vakil Abad Hang
256 Arabian Mohammad Ali 21 M Sedeh Isfahan H.s.dip. Aug. 4, 88 Isfahan F.s.
257 Araghi Farahani Majid 27 M Arak H.s.s. Sep. 88 Arak F.s.
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A List of Victims
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146
A List of Victims
381 Aziz Zadeh Maleki Shapour 31 M Tabriz S. Oct. 24, 88 Tabriz F.s.
382 Azizi 30 1988 Islam Abad Hang.
383 Azizi Ashraf(maryam) 24 F Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
390 Azizi Fard Khaless Zahra 40 F Zargan Fars H.s.s. Nov. 88 Adelabad F.s.
391 Azizian Mohammad Ali 22 M Tehran S. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
147
Crime Against Humanity
148
A List of Victims
425 Baghi Mohammad 25 M Khorram Abad S Jul. 30, 88 Khorram Abad F.s.
440 Bahrami Fard Mohsen 35 M Tehran B.s. Aug. 28, 88 Rasht F.s.
441 Bahrami Hidji Daryoush 24 M Tehran S Sep. 88 Evin Hang.
442 Bahramian (Bahrami) Valli 37 M Malekan Tabriz Sep. 9, 88 Tabriz Hang.
149
Crime Against Humanity
488 Barati Bagherabadi Mojtaba 24 M Mashad H.s.dip. Aug. 24, 88 Vakil Abad Hang.
489 Baravardeh Hassan 26 M Bushehr Aug. 88 F.s.
150
A List of Victims
506 Behboodi Ali Akbar (Sirous) 28 M Rasht Univ. S. Aug. 88 Rasht Hang.
507 Beheshti Tabar Hurieh F Isfahan M.s. Aug. 88 Evin F.s.
508 Behnam Zadeh Behrooz 29 M Tehran Univ.s. Aug. 3, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
151
Crime Against Humanity
Hezareh
152
A List of Victims
555 Chardah Cherik Gholam Shah 22 M Gachsaran H.s.s. Sep. 88 Gachsaran F.s.
153
Crime Against Humanity
154
A List of Victims
631 Deljou’ii Sabet Mohammad Reza 23 M Lahijan H.s.s. Aug. 4, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
632 Delkash Faramarz 25 M Tehran H.s.s. Oct. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
633 Delkash Farhad 25 M Karaj H.s. Dip. 1988 Karaj Hang.
155
Crime Against Humanity
667 Ebadi Lari Mahmoud 33 M Abadan H.s.dip. Jul. 30, 88 Evin Hang.
668 Ebrahim-nia Farhad 22 M Nooshahr – 1988 Noushahr F.s.
669 Ebrahimi Ashghar 30 M – H.s.dip. 1988 Evin F.s.
Baloochi
679 Ebrahimian Hamid 30 M Shahrood S 1988 Evin F.s.
680 Ebrahimian Hadi 23 M Shahrood H.s.dip. 1988 Shahrood F.s.
156
A List of Victims
702 Emadi Chashmi Seyyed Hojjatollah 31 M Qa’emshahr B.s. Dec. 88 Qa’emshahr F.s.
703 Emadzadeh Youssef 29 M Kermanshah Univ. S. 1988 Evin Hang.
704 Emami Akbar 27 M – H.s.dip. Aug. 6, 88 Isfahan Ex.
157
Crime Against Humanity
158
A List of Victims
761 Fada’i Tabrizi Ashraf 25 F Tehran H.s. Dip Aug. 15, 88 Evin Hang.
762 Fadavi Isfahani Mohammad 38 M Tehran Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
763 Fafii-naqdi Mohammad M 1988 Tehran Ex.
764 Fafii-pour Kasma’ii Bahram 31 M Some’eh Sara H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
765 Faghari Sa’eid M Aug. 88 Gohardasht Ex.
766 Faghfour Maghrebi Mohsen 34 M Mashad Univ. S. Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
770 Fakhr Seyyed Ali 27 M Isfahan H.s. Dip Aug. 4, 88 Isfahan F.s.
771 Fakhri Nader 26 M Univ. S. Nov. 88 F.s.
772 Falahati Haj Zare’e Zahra 29 F Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
779 Fallah Tohidast Reza 29 M Lahijan H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
780 Fana’ii Mehrdad 26 M Tehran H.s. Dip Aug. 9, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
781 Fani Risfani Mohammad 30 M Torbat Heydarieh P. Dip. Sep. 88 Mashad Hang.
159
Crime Against Humanity
784 Farahi Gholam Reza 31 M Babolsar H.s. Dip 1988 Sari F.s.
797 Fardi Pour Parvin F Masjid Soleiman 1988 Masjid Soleiman F.s.
798 Fardi Pour Keshvar 29 M Masjid Soleiman H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Ahwaz F.s.
799 Farhadi Bahram 25 M Shahsavar H.s. Dip 1988 Rasht F.s.
803 Fariden Isfahani Sadeq 26 M Fariden H.s. Dip Aug. 2, 88 Ahwaz F.s.
804 Faridi Moussa M Garmsar B.s. Nov. 88 Semnan F.s.
805 Faridoni 30 Ahwaz Univ. S. Dec. 88 Ahwaz F.s.
809 Faroughi Mohammad Reza 30 M Mashad Univ. S. Jul. 1988 Evin Hang.
810 Farsi Hassan 26 M Tehran H.s.s. Jul. 28, 88 Evin Hang.
811 Farsi Kazem 40 M Mashad Nov. 88 Evin Hang.
815 Fat’h-ali Ashtiani Mehdi 24 M Tehran H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
816 Fat’h-alian Nayyereh 31 F Univ. S. Sep. 88 Tehran Hang.
160
A List of Victims
833 Fayz Abadi Gholamhassan 25 M Arak H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Evin F.s.
834 Fayz Abadi Mohammad 26 M Sabzevar H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Sabzevar F.s.
835 Fayz Abadi Gholamhossein 27 M Arak Univ. S. Aug. 13, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
842 Fazl Ali Hossein 26 M Tehran H.s.s. Nov. 1988 Evin F.s.
843 Fazl Ali Ali Reza 23 M Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
844 Fazli Hassan 25 M Zanjan H.s.s. Nov. 1988 Zanjan F.s.
161
Crime Against Humanity
850 Firouz Ja’iyan Ali Zaman 26 M Babol H.s.s. 1988 Sari F.s.
860 Forsat Mohammad Javad 35 M Kazeroun H.s. Dip Nov. 88 Shiraz Hang.
861 Fouladi Behnam M Isfahan Nov. 88 Evin Ex.
862 Fouladi Hadi 27 M Rasht Univ. S. Aug. 88 Rasht Hang.
872 Gha’emi Dizaji Karim 23 M Disaj Oskoo H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Tabriz Hang.
873 Ghaffar Rashidi Yazdan 29 M Qa’emshahr 1988 Qa’emshahr F.s.
874 Ghaffari Hamid 24 M Yassouj H.s.s. 1988 Tehran Hang.
162
A List of Victims
884 Ghafouri Rashtabadi Lida 22 F Rasht H.s.s. Sep. 23, 88 Rasht F.s.
885 Ghanimati Alkarizi Mojtaba 28 M Tehran Univ. S. Nov. 4, 88 Evin F.s.
886 Ghaybshavi Jalil 28 M H.s. Dip 1988 Dezful F.s.
Mahalleh
890 Ghazanfar Alireza 27 M Karaj Univ.s. Jul. 31, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
pour Moghaddam
906 Gholami Mohammad 28 M Someh Sara H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Some’e- Sara
907 Gholami Nayyer 26 F Kermanshah H.s.s. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
908 Gholami Asghar M Lahijan H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
163
Victims of 1988 Massacre
164
victims of 1988 Massacre
Mohsen Bahrami Farid Hamid Reza Abdulsattar Bamoniri Morteza Barz Abadi
Bakhshi Tari Farahani
165
Victims of 1988 Massacre
Mahmoud Dowlat Ali Akbar Ebrahimpour Effat Esma’ili Eyvanaki Massoud Esma’ilpour
Abadi
166
victims of 1988 Massacre
Parviz Goodarzi Ferdous Habib Akhbari Jaber Habibi Behzad Hadi Beighi
167
Crime Against Humanity
936 Golsha’ii Hassan Ali 22 M Zabol H.s. Dip. Aug. 6, 88 Zahedan F.s.
937 Golsha’ii Qassem Ali 24 M Zabol H.s. Dip. Aug. 6, 88 Zahedan F.s.
938 Golzadeh Ghafouri Hossein M Tehran Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
942 Gorji Ahmad 30 M Zarand Saveh H.s. Dip. Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
943 Gorji Ali Mohammad 29 M Univ. S. Oct. 88 Evin Hang.
944 Gorji M Sep. 88 F.s.
945 Gorji Nia Javad 26 M Bamdar Anzali H.s.s. Aug. 88 Evin F.s.
946 Goudarzi Bahram 24 M Tehran H.s.s. 1988 Tehran F.s.
168
A List of Victims
Mamassani
957 Govara’ii Ali 30 M Qazvin H.s. Dip. Jan. 89 Qazvin F.s.
958 Ha’eri Parvin 29 F M.s. Sep. 88 Tehran F.s.
169
Crime Against Humanity
992 Haghverdi Mamghani Ali 28 M Mamghan Tabriz H.s.dip. Aug. 3, 88 Evin F.s.
993 Hahsemi Sa’ied 26 M Tehran S. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
994 Haj Abdoldazim Naraghi Mohammad 36 M Univ. S. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
170
A List of Victims
171
Crime Against Humanity
172
A List of Victims
1088 Hayati Avaz 25 M Bandar Mahshahr H.s.s Aug. 88 Bandar Mahshahr F.s.
1089 Haybati Ahmad M Kermanshah Univ. S. Aug. 88 Kermanshah Ex.
1090 Haybati Nosrat M Kermanshah Univ. S. Aug. 88 Kermanshah Ex.
173
Crime Against Humanity
174
A List of Victims
1151 Hosseini Seyyed Nasrollah 24 M Songor Koliaye H.s.dip Dec. 88 Gohardasht F.s.
1152 Hosseini Etrat 42 F Jahrom Sep. 88 Shiraz F.s.
1153 Hosseini Alireza M Aug. 9, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1157 Hosseini Barzi Seyyed Saeid 24 M Barze Kashan S Aug. 88 Gohardahst Hang.
1158 Hosseini Iraj Hojjatollah 30 M Esfaryen H.s.dip 1988 Vakil Abad Hang.
1159 Hosseini Rajabi Mohammad M Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
175
Crime Against Humanity
1202 Jafari Afshar Zafar 27 M Zanjan H.s.s. Aug. 13, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1203 Jafari Garashi Aziz 29 M Shiraz B.s. 1988 Shiraz F.s.
1204 Jafarian Aghamohmmad M H.s.dip. 1988 Semnan F.s.
176
A List of Victims
1210 Jafarzadeh Marandi Mahmoud 34 M Khoy Univ. S. Jul. 29, 88 Orumieh F.s.
1223 Jalali Khah Ali 28 M H.s. Dip. Jul. 28, 88 Evin Hang.
1224 Jalali Safari Farhad 25 M Lahijan H.s. Dip Feb. 89 Rasht Hang.
1225 Jalalian Alireza 25 M Hamedan H.s.dip. Nov. 88 Hamedan F.s.
177
Crime Against Humanity
1265 Joudaki Farhad 30 M Pol-dokhtar Lorestn P. Dip. Aug. 88 Khorram Abad F.s.
1266 Joz’e Kalatari Khalil 25 M Zanjan H.s.s. 1988 Zanjan F.s.
1267 Ka’abi Jaber 27 M Abadan H.s. Dip. 1988 Ahwaz F.s.
1268 Kaboli (Haqiqi) Hamid 29 M Tehran H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
1269 Kachelami Qanbar 26 M Rasht-kachelam H.s. Dip Oct. 30, 88 Lahijan F.s.
1270 Kadkhoda Fereidoun 29 M H.s.s. Nov. 88 Behbahan F.s.
178
A List of Victims
1276 Kaffashpour Houshang (Iraj) 24 M Jiroft H.s. Dip. Nov. 88 Kermanshah F.s.
1283 Kalanaki Kamal (Touraj) 23 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Nov. 22, 88 Evin Hang.
1284 Kalantar Maryam 23 F Sari Univ. S. Nov. 88 Shiraz F.s.
1285 Kalantari Ardeshir 30 M Behbahan H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1286 Kalantari Hamed (Shahriar) 26 M Kermanshah H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1287 Kalantari Hamid 30 M Khorramdarreh H.s. Dip. Dec. 1988 Zanjan F.s.
1288 Kalantari Farangiss (Goli) 29 F Ramhormoz Univ. S. 1988 Tehran Hang.
1307 Karim Nezhad Saber 25 M Tehran H.s. Dip. 1988 Tehran F.s.
1308 Karim Nezhad Mohsen 29 M Varamin Univ. S. Jul. 30. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
179
Crime Against Humanity
1328 Karimi Jafari (Varamini) Ali 29 M Varamin H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Tehran Hang.
1329 Karimi Moghaddam Zakaria (Bahman) 31 M Kalachai H.s. Dip. Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1330 Karimian Massoumeh F Nov. 29, 88 Evin F.s.
180
A List of Victims
1349 Kay Nezhad Darioush 31 M Yazd H.s. Dip. Aug. 3. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1350 Kaykavousi Farideh 25 F Izeh H.s. Dip. Oct. 88 Ahwaz F.s.
1351 Kaykavousi Nahid 26 F Ahwaz Dec. 88 Ahwaz F.s.
1352 Kaykhah Abdol Samad 30 M Shiraz H.s. Dip. Oct. 26, 88 Adelabad Hang.
1353 Kayvanfar Jamshid 24 M Tehran Univ. S. Nov. 88 Evin F.s.
1354 Kayvanfar Hassan 33 M Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 88 Tehran F.s.
181
Victims of 1988 Massacre
Amanollah Hushmand Mostafa Ige’ei Mahmoud Jafar Zadeh Hadi Jalal Abadi
Marandi Farahani
182
victims of 1988 Massacre
183
Victims of 1988 Massacre
184
victims of 1988 Massacre
185
Crime Against Humanity
186
A List of Victims
187
Crime Against Humanity
1461 Khoshkhah Abbas 31 M Shiraz Univ.s Sep. 25, 88 Adel Abad F.s.
1462 Khoshkhoo Yousef 28 M Kouchesfahan H.s.dip Feb. 89 Rasht F.s.
1463 Khoshnevis Ali M Sep. 88 Vakil Abad Hang.
188
A List of Victims
1485 Kia Ahmadi Ezzatollah 30 M Gorgan H.s. Dip. Sep. 88 Kurdkouy F.s.
1486 Kia Ahmadi Vajihollah M Sep. 88 Gorgan F.s.
1487 Kia Ahmadi Vahid M Sep. 88 Gorgan F.s.
1488 Kia Kajouri Gholam Reza 26 M Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 6, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1489 Kia’ii Darioush 30 M Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1490 Kia’ii Zahra (Mahboubeh) 33 F Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 88 Evin F.s.
1497 Kiani Dehkordi Simin Dokht 29 F Shahr-e Kord Univ. S. Sep. 88 Evin F.s.
1498 Kianpour Khosrow 20 M Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 88 Tehran F.s.
1499 Kianpour Ali-asghar M Kordkouy Oct. 88 Gorgan F.s.
189
Crime Against Humanity
1518 Kouhi Jalalian Gholam Mehdi 30 M Qazvin Univ. S. Dec. 88 Evin F.s
1519 Kouhsari Mohammad Ali 29 M Qoochan H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Mashad Hang.
1520 Koustchi Mohammad 26 M Boroujerd H.s. Dip. Oct. 23, 88 Evin Hang.
190
A List of Victims
1554 Madani Seyyed Morteza 28 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Evin Hang
1555 Maddah Mehdi 23 M Roodbar S. Aug. 88 Gohardahst Hang
1556 Mahbian Mina F Tehran 1988 F.s.
191
Crime Against Humanity
1578 Mahmoodi Far Abdol Ahad 27 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Nov. 88 Evin Hang
1579 Mahmoodian Ali 30 M Ilam 1988 Evin F.s.
1580 Mahrami Hassan 27 M Ardebil H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Rasht Hang
1593 Makiani Abdol Karim 28 M Andimeshk H.s. Dip. Aug. 2, 88 Dezful F.s.
1594 Makiani Gholamreza 32 M P. Dip. 1988 Dezful Ex.
1595 Makvandi Bijan 30 M Masjid Solaiman Univ. S. Nov. 88 Ahwaz F.s.
1596 Makvandi Ali Hossein 26 M Haftkal H.s. Dip. Nov. 88 Ahwaz F.s.
1597 Malakouti Mansour M Gazbarkhar Univ. S. Aug. 6, 88 Isfahan F.s.
1598 Malayeri Ali (Asef) 26 M Karaj H.s.s. Oct. 23, 1988 Gohardasht Hang.
192
A List of Victims
1604 Maleki Anaraki Sa’eid 29 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
1608 Mamouli Karegar Mohammad 25 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1609 Manafi Kazem M Isfahan Aug. 4, 88 Isfahan F.s.
1610 Manavi Sa’eid 20 M Firouzabad, Fars H.s. Dip. Feb. 89 Shiraz F.s.
1617 Mansourian Taba’ii Kamaleddin 28 M mamasani H.s. Dip. Nov. 23, 88 Adelabad F.s.
1618 Maqssoudi Qassem Ali 28 M Tehran H.s.s. 1988 Evin Hang.
1619 Maqssoudi (Male) 55 1988 Ex.
1632 Maroufkhani Majid 27 M Karaj-shahriar H.s. Dip. Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1633 Marzaji (Male) 1988 Gonbad Kavous Ex.
1634 Mash’houli Mansour M 1988 Ex.
193
Crime Against Humanity
1638 Mashadi Estarabadi Sorour 30 F Estarabad, Mashad M.s. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
1639 Mashadi Ibrahim Gholam Hossein 25 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1640 Mashadi Mohammad Ali Ahmad 33 M Tehran Univ. S. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
Kharrat
1641 Mashadi Qassem Akbar 26 M H.s. Dip. Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1642 Mashadi Reza Mohammad Ali 30 M Mashad P. Dip. Aug. 16, 88 Mashad Hang.
1649 Massiha Langroodi Manijeh 29 F Langrood H.s. Dip. 1988 Langrood Ex.
1650 Massoudi Sa’eid 27 M Zanjan H.s.s. 1988 Zanjan F.s.
1651 Massoudi Massoud 32 M Zanjan H.s. Dip. 1988 Zanjan F.s.
1655 Massoumi Goudarzi Hamid Reza 31 M Boroujerd H.s. Dip. Oct. 26, 88 Khorramabad F.s.
1656 Massouri Iraj 29 M H.s. Dip. Dec. 88 Khorramabad F.s.
1657 Mastchi Ali 22 M Mashad H.s. Dip. 1988 Mashad Hang.
194
A List of Victims
1669 Mehdi Pour Sirous 27 M Masjed Suleiman H.s. Dip. Sep. 88 Isfahan Ex.
1694 Mir Baqeri Seyyed Isma’eel 30 M Borazjan Univ. S. Nov. 6, 88 Evin F.s.
1695 Mir Derigvand Rahim 25 M Loristan Univ. S. 1988 Khorramabad F.s.
1696 Mir Farough Seyyed Mohammad 33 M Rasht H.s.s. Aug. 88
1697 Mir Hosseini Sarvestani Seyyed Farajollah 28 M Sarvestan H.s. Dip. Dec. 19, 88 Adelabad F.s.
1698 Mir Jafari Farshad 29 M Tehran Univ. S. Nov. 1988 Gohardasht Hang.
1699 Mir Mohammadi Seyyed Morteza 40 M 1988 Mashad Hang.
1700 Mir Seyyedi Anbaran Hamid 31 M Mashad Univ.s. Nov. 22, 88 Evin F.s.
1701 Mir Shahidi Jamshid 22 M Mashad Sep. 88
195
Crime Against Humanity
1733 Mirzai’ Ashkiki Korous 21 M Khomam Rasht S. Nov. 10, 88 Rasht F.s.
1734 Mirzai’ Ashkiki Kosoush 22 M Khomam Rasht S. Nov. 10, 88 Rasht F.s.
196
A List of Victims
1735 Mirzai’ Goudarzi Ghassem (Palang) 35 M Arak H.s.dip. Jan. 89 Arak F.s.
1742 Mo’addeli Kavous 38 M Larestan H.s. Dip. Dec. 31, 88 Adelabad F.s.
1743 Mo’adi Reza M 1988 Gohardasht F.s.
1744 Mo’akkadi Hossein 29 M Sangsar, Semnan H.s. Dip. Oct. 23, 88 Semnan Hang.
197
Crime Against Humanity
1772 Moghimi Ghadi Kola’ii Karimollah M Qa’emshahr H.s. Dip. 1988 Evin Ex.
1773 Mohajer Reza 25 M Gha’en H.s. Dip. 1988 Mashad Hang.
1774 Mohajer Maryam 25 F Zanjan H.s.s. Oct. 88 Evin F.s.
198
A List of Victims
Bahman Abadi
1820 Mohammadi Maryam 28 F Tehran H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
Bahman Abadi
1821 Mohammadi Ghanaddi Sa’ied 27 M Hashtpar Tavalesh Univ. S. 1988 Rasht F.s.
1822 Mohammadi Doost Khoda 21 M Lorestan S. 1988 Pol-doghtar F.s.
Gol Goli Ghobadi
199
Crime Against Humanity
1850 Molla Abdol Hosseini Morteza 29 M Tehran Univ. S. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
1851 Mollazadeh Yahya 29 M Ardebil H.s.s. Feb. 89 Ardebil F.s.
1852 Mon’em Sep. 88 Tehran F.s.
1861 Moradi Ghavam 30 M Shiraz H.s. Dip. Dec. 88 Adel Abad F.s.
1862 Moradi Far Mohammad Bagher 26 M H.s. Dip. 1988 Shiraz Hang
200
A List of Victims
1863 Moradi Shalal Manijeh 28 F Masjed Soleiman H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Ahvaz F.s.
1870 Morshedi Shahr Babaki Mohammad Ali 28 M Shahr Babak H.s. Dip. Dec. 88 Kerman Ex.
1871 Morshedzadeh Reza M 1988 Ahwaz Ex.
1872 Mortazavi Rahim M Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
1873 Mortazavi Seyyed Hassan 31 M Isfahan H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1874 Mortazavi Seyyed Hossein 29 M Gilan B.s. 1988 Evin Hang.
1875 Mortazavi Tazangi Mohammad Reza 32 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Sep. 88 Shiraz Tor.
1876 Morteza’ii Sanjabi Shahriar 26 M Kermanshah H.s. Dip. Nov. 88 Kermanshah F.s.
1877 Moshaq Mohammad M 1988 Ex.
1878 Moshref Majid 25 M Qom H.s.s. Aug. 9, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1885 Mossayyeb Pour Jafar 26 M Hashtpar, Tavalesh H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
1886 Mosslehi Mansoureh 27 M Tehran Univ. S. Nov. 88 Tehran F.s.
1887 Mosslemi Abbas 32 M 1988 Qazvin Ex.
201
Victims of 1988 Massacre
Seyyed Mojtaba Ibrahim Pak Aghideh Javad Paykhoush Hushang Pir Nezhad
Olama
202
victims of 1988 Massacre
203
Victims of 1988 Massacre
204
victims of 1988 Massacre
205
Crime Against Humanity
1896 Mottaqi Talab Rashid (Amir) 27 M Rasht H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Rasht F.s.
1915 Movaqqar Moghaddam Gholam Hossein 31 M Qouchan H.s. Dip. Aug. 88 Vakilabad Hang.
1916 Mowla’ii Abbas 29 M Qom Univ. S. Aug. 88 Tehran Hang.
1917 Mozaffari Ahmad 24 M Tehran 1988 Evin F.s.
206
A List of Victims
1936 Nagi Pour Amir Zadi Gholamreza 35 M H.s.dip. Nov.7.88 Vakil Abad Hang
1937 Najaf Qolian Akbar (Ali) 25 M Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
1938 Najafabadi Fatemeh M 1988 Tehran F.s.
207
Crime Against Humanity
1962
R Nansa
Surname Mansoureh
Name 25
Age FSexTehran
POB H.s. Dip.
Edu. 1988
Date Tehran
Place Hang.
Method
1963 Naraqi Mohammad M Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
208
A List of Victims
1996
R Nazemi
Surname Yadollah(li)
Name Age MSexHamadan
POB H.s.s.
Edu. Aug.
Date88 Evin
Place F.s.
Method
1997 Nazeri Javad 25 M Tehran H.s.dip. 30 Jul. 88 Gohardasht Hang
2013 Nemati Zadeh Moosa 35 M Eilam B.s. Sep. 21, 88 Eilam F,S.
2014 Nematirad Mohammad Reza 27 M Sabzvar 1988 Evin Ex.
2015 Nemati{ Varki} Farshid{Nagi} M Ghazvin Aug. 88 Evin Hang
209
Crime Against Humanity
2034 Nicko-eghbal Tak Fatemeh Zahra 28 F Tehran H.s.dip Dec. 88 Evin F.s.
2035 Nickopour Ali-asghar 26 M Ahwaz H.s.dip. Dec. 88 Shiraz F.s.
2036 Niclo Fariba 22 F Tehran S. Sep. 88 Evin F.s.
2046 Nilghaz Kheirollah- Rashid 27 M Shariar Karaj H.s.dip. Sep. 88 Tehran Hang.
2047 Nilghaz Ali(kheirollah) M H.s.dip. Sep.88 Tehran F.s.
2048 Niri Mohsen M 1988 Tehran Ex.
2058 Noori Ali 31 M Galoodar Larestan H.s. Dip 1988 Shiraz Ex.
2059 Noori Gholam 26 M Kermanshah Aug. 88 Gohardasht F.s.
2060 Noori Ghodratollah 29 M Tehran H.s.dip Aug. 9, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
210
A List of Victims
2070 Noormohammad Noori Saleheh (Saghi) 24 F Noor Mazandaran H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
2071 Noormohammadi Isma’el 25 M Tehran S Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
2072 Noormohammadi Zidollah 25 M Sarab H.s.dip Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2088 Nour Amin Ahmad Reza 26 M Tehran H.s.dip. Aug. 88 Gohardashet Hang
2089 Nour Amin Mohammmf^¿Jza M Jan.10, 89 Karaj Ex.
2090 Nouraei Jahangir 25 M Kohdasht H.s.dip. Jan, 89 Khoram Abad F.s.
2094 Olama Seyyed Mojtaba 29 M Tehran H.s. Dip. Feb. 89 Evin F.s.
2095 Olfati Shahpour – M Gilan-e Gharb – Aug. 6. 88 Islam-abad Ex.
211
Crime Against Humanity
212
A List of Victims
2133 Paydar Arani Mash’allah 25 M Aran Kashan Univ. S. Sep. 88 Isfahan F.s.
2134 Paydar Arani Mansour 31 M Aran Kashan Univ. S. Aug. 17, 88 Evin Hang.
2135 Paykhoush Javad 29 M 1988 Ex.
Tappehei
2145 Poolchi Mahmoud (Hamed) 28 M Tehran H.s.dip. Feb. 27, 89 Evin F.s.
2146 Poor Ghazian Isfahani Mehdi 27 M Tehran S Aug. 1988 Evin Hang.
213
Crime Against Humanity
Jafar Jalali
2188 Qalavand Mohammad Reza 25 M Dezful H.s. Dip Aug. 5, 88 Dezful F.s.
2189 Qalavand Yahya 25 M Andimeshk H.s. Dip Aug. 5, 88 Dezful F.s.
2190 Qale’ii Nader 29 M H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
214
A List of Victims
Hossein Pour
2196 Qanavati Nassrollah 26 M Bandar-e Mahshahr H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Tehran F.s.
2197 Qanbari Esma’il 35 M Hamedan 1988 Gohardasht Hang.
2198 Qanbari Taymour 29 M Masjid Solaiman H.s. Dip 1988 Masjid Solaiman F.s.
2207 Qandehari Alavijeh Manouchehr 29 M Shemiran H.s. Dip Nov. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2208 Qane’ii Hassan 32 M Rasht H.s. Dip Aug. 88 Rasht Hang.
2209 Qara’ii Mehdi 30 M Torbat Jam P. Dip. Sep. 88 Mashad Hang.
2219 Qassemi Ramin 26 M Rasht H.s. Dip/ Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2220 Qassemi Shokriyazi Salman 28 M Salmas H.s. Dip Sep. 88 Orumieh F.s.
2221 Qassempour Ali Reza 26 M H.s.s. Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
215
Crime Against Humanity
(Seyyed Massih)
2245 Qoraishi Mahin 28 F Northern Iran Aug. 88 Evin Ex.
2246 Qoraishi Mahin 25 F Naqadeh H.s.s. 1988 Orumieh F.s.
216
A List of Victims
2255 Qorbanzadeh Givi Ayyoub 27 M Givi Khalkhal H.s.s. Sep. 88 Evin Hang.
Larestan
2259 Ra’ies Karimi Ali Asghar M 1988 Adelabad Hang
2260 Ra’ies Karimi Mohammad Taghi 29 M P.dip. 1988 Shiraz Hang
217
Crime Against Humanity
218
A List of Victims
2345 Ranjbar Shoureh Del Samad 26 M Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 15, 88 Gohardasht Hang
2346 Rasekhi Shahrokh 28 M Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
2347 Rashid Abbas M Oct. 88 Evin F.s.
219
Crime Against Humanity
220
A List of Victims
221
Crime Against Humanity
222
A List of Victims
2467 Saberi Leaf Shagerdi Hadi 26 M Rasht H.s.s. Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2468 Sabet Raftar Reza 27 M Tehran H.s.dip. Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2469 Sabet Raftar Massoud 30 M Tehran Univ. S. Jul. 30, 88 Evin F.s.
223
Crime Against Humanity
2500 Sadeghi 25
2501 Sadeghi Kaymarz 25 M Aug. 88 Evin Hang.
2502 Sadeghi Nahid F Univ.s. 1988 Isfahan F.s.
224
A List of Victims
2524 Saeedi Nejad Ghomi Vahid 30 M Tehran Univ.s. Aug. 22, 88 Evin Hang.
2525 Saeedi Sharif-abadi Ali 19 M Mashad S. Sep. 8. 88 Vakilabad F.s.
2526 Saeedi Sharif-abadi Mohammad Reza 23 M Mashad Univ.s. Sep. 88 Mashad Hang.
225
Crime Against Humanity
2569 Sakha’ii Mohammad Ismaeel 23 M Khonj Larestan H.s.s. Dec. 7. 88 Adelabad F.s.
2570 Sakha’ii Farah F Sep. 88 Evin F.s.
2571 Sakha’ii Mansour 22 M Khonj Larestan H.s.s. Dec. 7. 88 Shiraz F.s.
226
A List of Victims
227
Crime Against Humanity
228
A List of Victims
2649 Sattarnejad Seyyed Assadollah 23 M Shahreh Rey H.s.s. Aug.88 Gohardasht Hang.
2650 Savabi Hessamoldin 26 M Tehran H.s.dip. Aug. 12, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2651 Savabi 1988 F.s.
2661 Sayari Arani Ja’far 26 M Aran Kashan H.s.s. Aug. 2, 88 Kashan F.s.
2662 Sedaghat Zari F Sep. 88 Tehran F.s.
2663 Sedaghat Saeid 25 M Lahiljan H.s.s. 1988 Rasht Hahg.
2676 Seyyed Ahmadi Seyyed Mohsen 30 M Tehran H.s.dip. Jul. 30, 88 Karaj Hang.
Ghosh-chi
2677 Seyyed Ahmadi Seyyed Mohammad 28 M Tehran H.s.s. Aug. 3, 88 Tehran Hang.
Ghosh-chi
2678 Seyyed Sobhani Hossein 25 M Saveh S. Jul. 30. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
229
Crime Against Humanity
230
A List of Victims
2716 Shah Karami Ali 30 M Khoram Abad P.dip. Sep. 88 Khoram Abad Hang.
2717 Shahani Gholamali 30 M Babol Univ.s. Aug. 88 Babol F.s.
2718 Shahbaz-zadeh Hadi M Oct. 88 Roodsar F.s.
231
Crime Against Humanity
232
A List of Victims
233
Crime Against Humanity
Cheshmeh
2824 Sia Mansouri Mohammad 41 M Takhte Soleiman Ph.d. Feb. 8, 89 Sorkh Hessar Hang.
2825 Siavoshi Akbar M Aug. 6, 88 Nahavand F.s.
2838 Sokouti Ma’boud(aref) 29 M Hashtpar Tavalesh H.s.dip. Jul. 30, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2839 Soleimani Azar 24 M Kermanshah H.s.dip. Aug. 88 Gohardasht F.s.
2840 Soleimani Hassan M Tehran Univ.s. Aug. 88 Gohardasht Hang.
234
A List of Victims
2847 Soleimani Fard Reza 34 M Qom Univ.s. Jul. 27, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2848 Soleimani Fard Shahrokh M Nov. 88 Tehran F.s.
2849 Soleimani Ruzbehani 1988 F.s.
2850 Soltani Ali Agha 31 M Sanghar P.dip. Nov. 16, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2851 Soltani Farshid 26 M Rezvanshahr H.s.dip. 1988 Rasht Ex.
2852 Soltani Farhad 29 M Tehran H.s.dip. Nov. 88 Gohardasht F.s.
235
Crime Against Humanity
236
A List of Victims
2909 Tajik (Hashemkhani) Morteza (Mojtab) 26 M Varamin Univ. S. Aug. 13, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
2913 Taleb Bidakhti Abolfazl 21 M Semnan H.s.s. Oct. 88 Vakil Abad Hang
2914 Talebi Ebrahim 21 M S. 1988 Rasht Ex.
2915 Talebi Bahram M 1988 F.s.
237
Crime Against Humanity
238
A List of Victims
2991 Toutounchian Mohammad Ali 36 M Hamedan Univ. S. Aug. 11, 88 Evin Hang.
2992 Turkaman Nezhad Bijan 31 M Rasht H.s.s. Aug. 3, 88 Gohardasht Hang.
Tabrizi
3123 Zolfaghari Manocher 25 M Masjed Suleiman H.s.s. Aug. 88 Masjid Soleiman F.s.
3124 Zolfi Ahmad 27 M Masdad H.s.dip. 1988 Vakilabad Hang
3125 Zomorodnia Iraj M Sep. 88 F.s.
239
Crime Against Humanity
3153 Saeid M
3154 Soheila F Isfahan Aug. 88 Evin Ex.
3155 Siavosh M Sep. 88 Karaj F.s.
240
A List of Victims
241
Crime Against Humanity
242
A List of Victims
Images of Innocence
Photographs of some of the victims of the 1988 massacre
243
Images of
Images of Innocence
Innocence
Photographs of some of the victims of the 1988 massacre
Ebrahim Sahragad in
prison garb
Mohammad Zakeri’s
body was dumped in a
well after he was hanged.
244
Images of
Images of Innocence
Innocence
Photographs of some of the victims of the 1988 massacre
Amir Houshang
Hadikhanlou
Abbas Bazyarpour
245
Images of
Images of Innocence
Innocence
Photographs of some of the victims of the 1988 massacre
Two members of
Iran’s national
football team, both
executed in the
massacre:
Mahshid Razzaghi
(second from left,
standing), and Habib
Khabiri (third from
left, sitting). Khabiri
was the Captain of
Iran’s national Squad.
Davar Ghaffazadegan
(first in column) was an
accomplished
mountaineer.
Mohammad Jangzadeh
(standing)
246
Images of
Images of Innocence
Innocence
Photographs of some of the victims of the 1988 massacre
247
Images of
Images of Innocence
Innocence
Photographs of some of the victims of the 1988 massacre
Mohammad Reza
Shariati
248
Images of
Images of Innocence
Innocence
Photographs of some of the victims of the 1988 massacre
Mansour Asgari
249
“Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri says that in the first few days of the Iranian
massacre in 1988, thousands were killed, and at a conservative estimate, the final
death toll was in the region of 30,000... If those responsible for this crime against
humanity go free, a terrible injustice will have been done to the victims, their families,
and the survivors of the mass executions. The cause of international justice and
universality of jurisdiction over crimes against humanity will have been seriously
impaired.”
Lord Avebury
Vice Chairman of the British Parliamentary Human Rights Group
“The massacre of more than 30,000 political prisoners in a few months in 1988
has left an indelible mark on the history of our times as one of the most abomina-
ble crimes against humanity. The world can no longer allow the perpetrators of
such carnage go unpunished. The massacre truly fits the definition of crimes
against humanity. It is therefore necessary to set up an international tribunal to
indict and try those responsible for this crime.”
Pierre Bercis
President of Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme
Member of National Consultative Commission on Human Rights in
France
“Atrocities during civil wars, as in Rwanda, Bosnia or Kosovo, are bad enough. But
the systematic massacre of political prisoners in cold blood by a regime which
fears the people it rules is worse. This is what happened in the mullahs’ Iran in the
single year of 1988. An estimated 30,000 political prisoners were butchered on the
basis of a fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini. This not only stands as a crime
against the growing majority of the people of Iran who demand the return of the
freedom stolen from them, it is also a crime against humanity for which the
mullahs must answer.”
Robin Corbett
Member of House of Commons (Labour Party)