Iran’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences against five Kurds from the city of Bokan. The sentences were handed down in July for alleged involvement in the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), the 39th Chamber of the Court has referred the case back to the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad for retrial. The convicted Kurds, Ali (Soran) Ghassemi, Pezhman Soltani, Kaveh Salehi, Rizgar Beygzadeh Baba-Miri, and Teyfour Salimi Baba-Miri, had originally been sentenced to a total of eleven death penalties.
Politically motivated accusations
In the controversial trial, the Revolutionary Court in Urmia accused the men of, among other things, “enmity against God,” “armed insurrection,” membership in a “criminal organization,” collaboration with the Israeli Secret Service Mossad, espionage and smuggling of Starlink devices, propaganda against the state, and endangering national security. In addition, the defendants were sentenced to prison terms of between five and 15 years and ordered to pay the equivalent of over eight million euros.
Public pressure and international protests
The verdicts sparked a wave of outrage. Family members, human rights groups, and numerous social media users called for the verdicts to be overturned. Solidarity campaigns and appeals for donations were organized. In the case of Pezhman Soltani, who had been sentenced to death by retaliation for alleged involvement in a murder, a public fundraising campaign made it possible to pay blood money. The relatives of the victim’s family then declared that they would waive enforcement of the sentence.
Verdict overturned, case goes to Mahabad
The Supreme Court upheld the defense’s appeals in all cases. The verdicts were flawed, it said, and would have to be reviewed by another court. In a parallel case involving alleged terrorism financing, the five activists, along with other defendants, were also acquitted.
Further convictions in connection with the protests
Eight other Kurdish activists from Bokan were also charged in the same trial. They received prison sentences and fines, primarily for alleged membership in opposition groups, propaganda, espionage, or insulting the government. Seven of them have since been released on bail. Another defendant, doctor Salahuddin Ahmadi, was acquitted on all counts.
Allegations of torture and forced confessions
All the defendants were arrested in the spring of 2023 during the crackdown on the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” protests in the cities of Bokan and Bane and were detained for months in the Secret Service prison in Urmia. According to human rights organizations, they were severely tortured, psychologically pressured, and coerced into making forced confessions during this time.