Amnesty International says Iranian juvenile offender at risk of secret execution
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 20 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Amnesty International says Iranian juvenile offender at risk of secret execution, 20 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/550940e712.html [accessed 23 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 20, 2015
By RFE/RL
The whereabouts of an Iranian juvenile offender who was due to be hanged on February 19 are unknown amid concerns that he may have been secretly executed.
Earlier reports suggested that Iranian authorities did not carry out the execution of Saman Naseem who was sentenced to death on charges filed against him when he was 17 years old.
But the lack of news about the 22-year-old Naseem has led to concerns about his fate.
Amnesty International said in a statement that Naseem may be at the risk of torture or secret execution.
"The lack of news about Saman Naseem's fate or whereabouts with prison officers denying his family any information is cruel and inhuman," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa said in a statement.
International rights groups and UN experts have called on Iran to halt Naseem's execution.
The young man was convicted of being a member of the rebel Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) and charges that he took part in armed confrontations with Iranian security forces.
His death sentence was issued in 2013 after he allegedly had been tortured.
The United States and the European Union have expressed concern over his execution.
Iran is one of the few countries in recent years known to carry out the death penalty for crimes committed by juveniles.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
