Three prisoners in Orumiyeh Central Prison, Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Shahivand and Mehdi Sharafian, have written an open letter to human rights organisations warning of the imminent execution of their amputation sentences.
These sentences, handed down in 2019 for theft, involve the amputation of four fingers on their right hands.
The prisoners, who have been detained since September 2017, expressed their fears following the recent enforcement of a similar punishment on two imprisoned brothers.
On 29 October, the amputation sentences of Shahab and Mehrdad Teymouri, two brothers from Sarpol-e Zahab, Kermanshah Province, were executed in Orumiyeh Central Prison.
The full text of the prisoners’ letter, obtained by the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), is as follows
“We, Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Shahivand, and Mehdi Sharafian, prisoners sentenced to amputation in Orumiyeh Central Prison, have been imprisoned for nine years on charges of theft. In 2019, we were sentenced to the amputation of four fingers on our right hands. Since then, both we and our families have lived under the constant nightmare of this sentence being executed.
Approximately 20 days ago, the sentence of amputation was implemented on two imprisoned brothers in Orumiyeh Central Prison, heightening our fear and that of our families. Since then, we have been unable to sleep or eat, anxiously awaiting the enforcement of our own sentences. We have repeatedly sought discussions with the head of Branch Eight of the Enforcement of Judgements Office, pleading for clemency. However, we were ultimately informed that our sentences are in the implementation phase and will be executed within the next two months.
It is worth noting that we have submitted multiple repentance letters and requests for pardon, all of which have been denied. They argue that this punishment is a divine mandate mentioned in the Quran. But we ask, how is it that the Quran refers to divine punishment but does not also emphasise divine forgiveness? Has God not repeatedly highlighted forgiveness and mercy in the Quran, embracing the repentance of those who seek it? After nine years of imprisonment, we have repented as Muslims and expect to be treated as such, with our repentance accepted and clemency granted.
Instead, we find that every effort is being made to implement our punishment rather than to grant us forgiveness. Therefore, we urgently appeal to human rights organisations and the United Nations to intervene and prevent the execution of this inhumane punishment. This nightmare must end so that we can find a way back to life. If the punishment is carried out, we will have no reason to continue living.”
List of prisoners sentenced to amputation of four fingers of the right hand in Orumiyeh Central Prison:
- Kasra Karami
- Morteza Esmailian
- Hadi Rostami
- Mehdi Shahivand
- Mehdi Sharafian
