# Pezhman Fatehi

Pezhman Fatehi (October 23,1952 in Kamyaran; died January 9, 1981) was a Kurdish political prisoner. He died after being sentenced to a capital punishment sentence at Qezelhesar prison, where he was incarcerated. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that they apprehended him and three other individuals – Mohsen Mazloum, Vafa Azarbar, and Mohammad Faramarzi – in the Sumar and Baradost regions of Urmia province. Noor News, the official statement outlet of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the statement of the security police forces on July 23, 2023, published two contradictory reports on the arrest of a team linked to Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, but offered no further specifics about the identities of the detainees. Additionally, the Iranian authorities announced to have arrested ten people in Urmia province. In a prior statement issued in June 2023, the Ministry reported the dismantling of a terrorist cell in Isfahan with ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. Subsequent investigations revealed the detainees of the Urmia province to be members of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, allegedly plotting an attack in Isfahan. In addition to the four prisoners mentioned earlier, Reza Rasaei and Mujahid Koorkouri are also in danger of being executed.

## Crime and Punishment

The Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan refuted allegations made by the Iranian Information Ministry regarding criminal activity. In a public statement, the Komala party denied any involvement in the recent arrests of certain members and maintained that the accusations are politically motivated and lack foundation. The party asserted that the arrested individuals had no ties to foreign intelligence agencies and were targeted solely for their activism and participation in opposition groups within their communities.
After four months in detention, the four individuals were finally condemned in a documentary film. When these prisoners were incarcerated, they carried no weapons and were not involved in any fight. Held for a total of 18 months (about 1 and a half years) without formal charges or a trial, they were ultimately acquitted by a local court, with their innocence upheld by the Iranian judiciary.

## The Decisions

In April 2023 (corresponding to the month of Gulan, 1401, in the Iranian calendar), a campaign advocating for the release of the four Kurdish political prisoners (including Pezhman Fatehi) gained momentum. The campaign aimed to raise awareness and pressure authorities for the prisoners’ freedom, fearing they could face execution. The widespread circulation of videos on social media platforms ignited a campaign in Iranian Kurdistan, drawing participation from citizens and civil society members. Human rights advocates and organizations strongly condemned the harsh sentences and the politically motivated charges levied by the judiciary. The campaign also expressed outrage at the prison authorities' treatment, raising serious concerns about the prisoners' rights being violated.

## Execution

On December 9, 2023 (corresponding to the 9th of Rêbendan 1402 in the Kurdish calendar), Pezhman Fatehi, Mohammad Faramarzi, Vafa Azarbar, and Mohsen Mezloome were executed by the Iranian authorities in Qezelhesar Prison located in Karaj.

## Decisions regarding the Execution

Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (Dem Party) in south-eastern Turkey (Bakurê Kurdistan) strongly denounced the Iranian government's oppressive prison policies, particularly towards political prisoners and human rights violations. The party called these executions a “political genocide” and condemned them as a “hostile policy and genocide of the Kurdish people” and stated that this corrupt policy shall be broken. Despite this tragedy, those who took the path of freedom will win, and the names of the victims will live forever in history, the party concluded.