IRAN: POLITICAL PRISONER SECRETLY HANGED

October 4, 2011: Political prisoner Aziz Khakzad was secretly hanged in Kerman Central Prison, Iran, on charges of Waging War Against God (Moharebeh). He was a resident of Salmas County in Kurdistan Province and was exiled to Kerman to serve his prison term.
According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Khakzad was a 29 year old political activist arrested in 2007. The Revolutionary Court in Khoy County sentenced him to death on charges of Waging War Against God and helping opposition groups. As a result of efforts made by his family and friends, the Appeals Court had reduced the death sentence to 5 years in prison and exiled him to Kerman.
Last night, Aziz Khakzad was unexpectedly transferred from the general prison population to solitary confinement and was hanged in Kerman Prison this morning. Aziz Khakzad’s family received the news of his execution this morning but Iranian government officials have yet to confirm the report. (Sources: HRANA News Agency, 04/10/2011)