Execution of Kurdish Political Prisoner Looms

A source close to Habibollah Golparipour, a Kurdish political prisoner on death row, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that his family is concerned about his imminent execution. “Yesterday, 15 March [2012], the prison guards called him to take a phone call, but when he went to the guards, Intelligence Office forces transferred him to an unknown location,” said the source.

“During the past months, this Kurdish political prisoner has been transferred to Orumiyeh Prison solitary cells and the Orumiyeh Intelligence Office Detention Center, and each time he has been threatened with his execution. Considering this political prisoner on death row has suddenly been transferred to an unknown location, there is concern about his execution,” the source added.

According to local sources, the Mahabad IRGC Intelligence Unit arrested Habibollah Golparipour, 27, on his way from Mahabad to Orumiyeh carrying several books, and subjected him to months of physical and psychological torture inside intelligence and military detention centers in Mahabad, Orumiyeh, and Sanandaj. Golparipour has spoken explicitly about his torture.

On 14 March 2010, Branch One of Mahabad Revolutionary Court under Judge Khodadadi held a minutes-long trial for Golparipour, at the end of which he was sentenced to death on charges of “membership in PJAK,” the Kurdish Independent Life Party. After his objection, the case was sent to Branch 31 of the Supreme Court, which upheld the lower court’s ruling.

So far, all efforts by Golparipour’s lawyers asking the Pardon Commission to grant him pardon and a re-trial have been rejected. Golparipour’s case was sent to the Judiciary’s Enforcement Unit for his execution months ago.

According to the source, Habibollah Golparipour denied participation in armed activities during all phases of his interrogations at the Intelligence Office and the court. The Intelligence Office accused Golparipour of effective cooperation with PJAK only because he was in possession of some books and because of his relationship with the Mahabad Mothers’ Peace Group. The Intelligence Office put pressure on the court to sentence Golparipour to death.