An Iranian father, known for his defiance against the regime, met a tragic end as he was executed without a final farewell to his family. Mohammad Abbasi, aged 55, lost his life in the Qezel Hesar prison in Karaj on Wednesday. His family had been summoned for a final visit, but the authorities denied them the chance to see him one last time, according to the Iran Human Rights Monitor.
As Abbasi’s family arrived at the prison, hoping for a last goodbye, they faced a heart-wrenching rejection. Prison officials sent them away, only to later deliver the devastating news via phone that Abbasi had already been executed.
The Iran Human Rights Monitor condemned this act, highlighting it as not just a breach of human decency but also a violation of both national and international standards regarding prisoners’ rights. “The prevention of a final visit is not only psychological torture of the family, but also an explicit violation of the Executive Regulations of the Prisons Organization and international standards for prisoners’ rights, which emphasize the right to a farewell before the execution of a death sentence,” the group asserted in a statement.
Moreover, the organization pointed out that such legal and human rights violations aim to instill fear and exert psychological control over society. They suggested that these actions are intended to shock and suppress public dissent, discouraging others from seeking justice.
Abbasi faced the death penalty for his involvement in the January protests, which saw a massive uprising against the Islamic regime. The protests were sparked by widespread discontent with the government’s authoritarian rule and its inability to address the country’s dire economic situation.
Abbasi was sentenced to death over his participation in the January protests that saw thousands rise up against the Islamic regime over its totalitarian rule and failure to fix the nation’s economic crisis.
The 55-year-old was accused of attacking a lieutenant of Iran’s security forces during the protests, with the state claiming Abbasi was a long-time dissident acting on behalf of “the Zionist coup,” according to human rights groups.
Like other protesters, Abbasi was featured on state TV confessing to the charges. Iran HRM asserted that like the others killed by state, the father was forced to make the statement under torture.
As Abbasi’s family grieves his death, they also have to contend with the fate of his daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi, who was sentenced to 25-years in prison for joining her father in the protests.
Fatemeh is currently being held in the women’s ward of the notorious Evin prison, according to local reports and human rights groups.
Iran has continued to carry out the executions of those arrested during the chaotic protests on Jan. 8 and 9, which saw the Islamic republic’s security forces fire upon its citizens, killing more than 7,000 people.
At least 146 Iranians are believed to have been executed since the war started, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group.
