Update: Alireza Tajiki

UPDATE – 10 August 2017: This morning we learnt the very sad and shocking news that Alireza was executed earlier today. Many thanks to all who took action for your huge efforts on his case. 

Alireza Tajiki was just 15 years old when he was arrested, 16 when he was sentenced to death, and 21 when he was executed. 

He was convicted of murder and 'forced male-to-male anal intercourse'. But his trial was grossly unfair and relied on 'confessions' which Alireza said were extracted through torture, including beatings, floggings, and suspension by arms and feet. 

He was denied access to a lawyer throughout the investigation process and held in solitary confinement for 15 days without access to his family. 

As of 9 August, Alireza was in solitary confinement again in preparation for his execution on 10 August. The authorities called his family and told them to come to the prison for their final visit. We understand that the authorities had not even informed his lawyers of the execution, contrary to Iran’s own laws.

He had been scheduled for execution several times before, including last year, but had been saved through our collective lobbying and campaigning efforts.

Sadly, this was not the case this time around – Alireza was executed during the morning of Thursday 10 August. Magdalena Mughrabi, our Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement: 

'By going ahead with this execution in defiance of their obligations under international law, and despite huge public and international opposition, the Iranian authorities have again cruelly demonstrated their complete disdain for children’s rights. This shameful act marks a critical turning point for Iran, and exposes the hollowness of the authorities’ claims to have a genuine juvenile justice system.'

Alireza is the fourth person to be executed this year in Iran who was a child when arrested, while at least 88 juvenile offenders remain on death row.