Iranian activist sentenced to death

Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan Prison in Rasht, was sentenced to death on Thursday, July 4, by a criminal verdict from the Islamic Revolutionary Court in that city.

Sharifeh Mohammadi's trial was held on June 8 before Branch I of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Rasht.

Earlier, human rights organizations had expressed concern over the charge of “Baghi” (a vaguely defined crime used against opponents of the regime) brought against Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan prison in Rasht.

This ridiculous accusation is linked to Ms Mohammadi's membership in the “Committee for Assistance in the Formation of Trade Unions” before 2010.

The accusation of “Baghi” can result in the death penalty or a long prison term.

Such false accusations and fabricated cases are well-known methods used by the Intelligence Ministry to deal with independent labor and social activists. Ms. Sharifeh Mohammadi was tortured by the Intelligence Ministry.

Reports of the ill-treatment of the union activist after her transfer from Lakan prison in Rasht to Sanandaj prison had previously been published.

Meanwhile, the human rights organization “Hengaw” wrote that Sharifeh Mohammadi “was sentenced to death on Baghi's charge due to her membership in the Committee for Assistance in the Formation of Trade Unions and the association of this union with the Komala Party, based on Articles 211 and 287 of the Islamic Penal Code ratified in 2013.”

According to documents obtained by Hengaw, the verdict was officially and personally communicated to Ms. Mohammadi's lawyer, and the verdict can be appealed to the Supreme Court within 20 days of being notified.

In recent days, the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Workers' Union and the Committee for Assistance in Forming Trade Unions have rejected Baghi's accusation and called for Sharifeh Mohammadi's release.

The Tehran and Suburbs Bus Workers' Union, stating: “We strongly condemn the fabrication of scenarios against the detained worker Sharifeh Mohammadi and Baghi's baseless accusation against her,” wrote: “There is no doubt about the total falsehood and shamefulness of this accusation. They shamefully faced an independent and well-known labor and civil activist with a heavy accusation that they themselves know does not have an iota of truth in it.”

This union organization, in its press release referring to “the harassment and false scenarios that have been used repeatedly against union members under various titles”, strongly condemned such an accusation against Ms. Mohammadi and demanded “the immediate and unconditional release” of this imprisoned worker.