IRAN is massacring its own people in “unprecedented numbers,” with executions taking place every two hours as the “paranoid” regime rails against defeats against its proxies in Israel.
A series of shocking evidence – including official figures and letters from death row prisoners – compiled by The Solar exposes that Iran’s killing machine is responsible for more than three-quarters of executions worldwide.
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Official records show that the number of executions last year reached 1,000, the highest number in 30 years and 16 percent more than last year.
The Iranian resistance group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), warns that the current figure is “significantly higher,” taking into account the regime’s use of secret executions.
On New Year’s Day alone, at least 12 people were hanged in prisons across the country.
The grim toll includes women, children and political prisoners, often sentenced to death without regard to a fair trial or due process.
‘Sign of weakness’
Behzad Naziri, a former political prisoner of the regime, who managed to escape from one of Iran’s most famous prisons, told The Solar that the “unprecedented increase” in executions is a “sign of the weakness of a regime on the brink of collapse.” the ruin.” overthrown.”
Naziri, a member of the NCRI foreign committee, whose own sister was executed, said: “The unprecedented number of executions indicates that the regime is becoming increasingly
paranoid.
“These actions are a desperate attempt by Khamenei to suppress any dissent and maintain control amid growing unrest and demands for regime change.
Iran’s evil Revolutionary Guard snatched me from my home and imprisoned me. I have no fingerprints left after sadistic torture
“We must keep in mind that this regime has maintained its control over
power through repression and executions in the country, and terrorism and warmongering abroad, mainly through its representatives.
“Being the world record holder for the number of executions per capita is not a sign of strength; indicates an inability to quell dissent despite their brutal behavior.
“The regime must be ostracized by the international community, and any deal with it must be conditional on ending executions and torture. Their leaders must be held accountable before justice.”
NCRI leader Maryam Rajavi
“Therefore, the unprecedented increase in executions, as with all dictators, shows that this regime is also on its last legs and sees no future for its rule in the face of growing opposition.
“The inhumane murder of its population under any pretext is just a sign of the weakness of a regime about to be overthrown.”
Of the 1,000 executed in 2024, 34 were women and seven were under 18 years old at the time of the crime.
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MEDIEVAL PUNISHMENTS
More than half were sentenced for drug offenses even though, according to the NCRI, the regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controls all major drug trafficking operations in Iran worth billions. of dollars.
In addition to the increasing number of executions and torture, prisoners are subject to other medieval-style punishments, such as public flogging, amputation of limbs, and gouging out eyes.
A prisoner from the 2017 uprising was sentenced to have his eyes gouged out for allegedly blinding a State Security Forces officer by throwing a stone at him, while two brothers had their fingers amputated in Urmia prison and two other prisoners their fingers were cut off in Qom prison, according to the NCRI report.
While many of the egregious punishments go unreported, Naziri cites the example of two men in Qom province, who, state media reported, were sentenced to have their hands cut off for alleged theft.
“This brutal punishment was carried out while the regime leaders and Revolutionary Guard commanders are the biggest thieves in Iran’s history, embezzling billions of dollars.
of people’s assets or wasting them on projects related to repression, nuclear activities, warmongering and sponsorship of terrorism to preserve the regime,” he said.
“The inhumane murder of its population under any pretext is nothing more than a sign of the weakness of a regime about to be overthrown.
Behzad Naziri, former political prisoner
The NCRI says the pattern of executions throughout 2024 is directly related to political events, crises and the regime’s defeats: 47 percent of prisoners were hanged during the last quarter of the year while the regime and its representatives Terrorists faced severe defeats in the region against Israel, including the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Some 695 of the 1,000 executions took place after the end of July, during the government of President Massoud Pezeshkian, who previously defended his execution record by saying: “Those who talk about human rights ask why we execute murderers.”
Naziri, a former journalist who was arrested in 1982 after his sister, the painter and musician Giti Naziri, was executed, believes things will only get worse in Iran in 2025, as the regime fears facing the same fate as the overthrown dictatorship. of Bashar Al Assad in Syria.
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Naziri was subjected to horrendous torture for three years in two of Iran’s most notorious prisons, Evin and Qazal Hesar, before finding a rare opportunity to escape only for his father to be held hostage in his place for five years.
He said: “The main challenge of the Iranian dictatorship has always been the war against its outraged people who demand the overthrow of the ruling theocracy for the last four decades.
“The mullahs’ regime has suffered a serious setback in 2024, such as the national boycott of the elections and the growing activities of the Resistance Units in Iran.”
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Warmonger abroad
“The other aspect of the survival strategy has been the creation of disasters outside its borders,” Naziri added.
“The destructive Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and, more recently, instigating conflict in the Middle East are just two examples.
“In reality, after the massive anti-regime uprising of 2022 that shook the regime to its core, Khamenei started the war in the region.
“But the regime has been the biggest strategic loser of the conflict, evident in the defeat of Hezbollah and, more importantly, in the fall of the Assad dictatorship. This has fueled further resistance and caused significant defection among the regime’s ranks.
“These medieval crimes, however, double the determination of Iranian youth to overthrow the religious dictatorship.
Behzad Naziri, former political prisoner
“Therefore, the regime’s increasing brutality is a reflection of its frustrations stemming from the fear of facing the same fate as the Assad dictatorship.”
Naziri says that horrendous punishment measures are generally used to “intimidate” the public, adding that people are often sentenced without a fair trial and that “the evidence points to a complete disregard for due process.”
But he added that the increase in executions “has failed to stop the rise of dissent” and, in fact, has had the opposite impact, especially among women and younger generations.
“These medieval crimes, however, double the determination of Iranian youth to overthrow the religious dictatorship,” he added.
HUNGER STRIKES
Political prisoners in 30 prisons in Iran have been on hunger strike every Tuesday for a year in protest against the executions as part of “No Executions Tuesdays.”
The Solar received a moving recording of brave women in Evin prison, who despite facing torture, last month chanted and sang moving protest songs demanding that death sentences be banned and vowing to “fight until the last moment”.
Naziri and the NCRI have now called on the United States and the United Kingdom to hold Iran accountable for its crimes.
“The West must recognize the serious human rights abuses occurring in Iran and the urgent need for a strong international response,” he said.
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CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
“The other side of this savagery at home is belligerence and terrorism abroad…
“Their leaders must be brought to justice for 45 years of crimes against humanity and genocide.
“We therefore urge the new UK and US administrations to condition any deal with the Iranian regime on an immediate cessation of executions and torture.
“It is essential to hold the regime accountable for its crimes.”
against humanity and support the struggle of the Iranian people for freedom and democracy.”
NCRI leader Maryam Rajavi said: “Khamenei resorts to these executions to suppress the popular uprising demanding the overthrow of the regime.
“However, these atrocities only strengthen the determination of Iranian youth to overthrow the religious dictatorship.
“The regime must be ostracized by the international community, and any deal with it must be conditional on ending executions and torture. Their leaders must be held accountable before justice.”
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