TEHRAN – 2025/06/22 10:04:07 – International human rights institution Amnesty International has urged Iranian authorities to promptly cease plans for arbitrary executions. The organization is also calling for the protection of individuals arrested on accusations of espionage for ISRAEL, emphasizing the need to prevent enforced disappearances, torture, and other forms of mistreatment.

As ISRAEL’s attacks on Iran began on June 13,Iranian authorities have reportedly arrested numerous individuals accused of “collaboration” with ISRAEL. These actions have been accompanied by calls for swift trials and executions, with one man already executed on June 16.

Concerns are also growing for those already facing the death penalty, including at least eight men sentenced to death following what Amnesty International describes as unfair trials.

“Official calls for expediated trials and executions of those arrested for alleged collaboration with Israel show how the Iranian authorities weaponize the death penalty to assert control and instil fear among the peopel of Iran. The authorities must ensure all those detained are protected from enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, and afforded fair trials at all times, including during armed conflict,” said Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at amnesty International.

“The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and it should not be used under any circumstances. Its use for espionage or other related offences that do not involve intentional killing is especially prohibited under international law. A rush to execute people after torture-tainted ‘confessions’ and grossly unfair trials would be a horrifying abuse of power and a blatant assault on the right to life. The authorities must immediately halt all plans to carry out further executions or to impose death sentences and urgently establish a moratorium on all executions.”

The authorities must ensure all those detained are protected from enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, and afforded fair trials at all times, including during armed conflict

Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for MENA

Expedited Trials and Executions

Amnesty International has reviewed official statements that reveal numerous arrests across Iran for alleged “espionage” or “collaboration” with ISRAEL, coupled with orders for expedited trials and executions, raising fears of arbitrary executions.

On June 15, Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje’i, Head of Iran’s Judiciary, directed the country’s Prosecutor General and provincial prosecutors to punish individuals who “disturb the peace and security of the people” or “collaborate” with ISRAEL. He advocated for expedited proceedings to “deter” others and mandated that individuals be tried, convicted, and punished “extremely quickly.”

The Supreme Council of National Security announced the same day that actions “in favour of Israel would be met with a decisive response and the harshest punishment” of execution under charges of “enmity against God” (MohareHeh) and “corruption on earth” (EFSAD FEL-ARZ),which carry the death penalty under Iranian law.

According to the council, actions that fall under these capital charges include efforts to “legitimize or sanitize the image of the Zionist regime”; “disseminate rumors or false information”; “incite or encourage individuals or groups to act against national security”; or “sow division among the segments of society, ethnicities, and religious sects of the country”.

These charges have long been criticized for being overly broad, possibly leading to the death penalty for exercising freedom of expression or for offenses like espionage that do not involve intentional killing, as required by international law.

On June 17 2025, Iran’s parliament approved a motion to fast-track a bill that would expand the use of the death penalty for “espionage” or “cooperation with antagonistic governments,” including ISRAEL and the United States. the bill would classify such actions as “corruption on earth” (EFSAD FEL-ARZ), automatically incurring the death penalty.

Amnesty International has reiterated its urgent appeal to Iranian authorities to ensure the protection of all recently arrested individuals from enforced disappearance, torture, and other ill-treatment. The organization insists that all detainees must have access to legal counsel from the time of their arrest and receive fair trials in accordance with international law, without the request of the death penalty. Furthermore, those detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression should be released immediately and unconditionally.

Risk to Those Already on Death Row

Following the execution of esmail fekri on June 16, Amnesty International voiced concerns that Iranian authorities might execute at least eight other individuals sentenced to death in separate cases involving accusations of espionage or collaboration with ISRAEL after what the organization says were unfair trials.

Among those at risk is Swedish-Iranian academic Ahmadreza Djalali, held in Tehran’s Evin prison as 2016. He was sentenced to death for “corruption on earth” (EFSAD-E FEL-ARZ) in October 2017 following a trial Amnesty International says was based on forced “confessions” obtained through torture and threats.

Others at risk include Afshin Ghorbani Meyshani, Azad Shojaei, The aali edis and Iraqi national Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul all held in Urumieh Central prison, West Azerbaijan province; Mohammad Amin Mahdi DriveHeld in Ghezal Hesar Prison, Alborz Province; Rouzbeh Vadi held in Evin prison, Tehran province; and Shahin Basami held in Adel Abad prison, Fars province.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases, irrespective of the accused, the nature of the crime, or the method of execution.