Probable Child Offenders Karim Farokhvand and Mahmoud Ostad-Mamzaei Hanged in Dezful

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 2, 2025: Two probable child offenders named Karim Farokhvand and Mahmoud Ostad-Mamzaei were hanged for charges of “moharebeh (enmity against god) through armed robbery” in Dezful Prison.

According to the Judiciary’s Mizan news agency, two men were executed in Dezful Prison on 1 May 2025. They were sentenced to death on charges of moharebeh through armed robbery by the Dezful Revolutionary Court.

Iran Human Rights has established their identities as Karim Farokhvand (left photo) and Mahmoud Ostad-Mamzaei (right photo).

An informed source told IHRNGO: “Karim and Mahmoud were both under 18 years of age at the time of arrest and were sentenced to death for an armed robbery ten years ago.”

IHRNGO has not been able to verify their ages through document evidence at the time of writing.

“The two prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions on Tuesday, 20 April. Following their transfer, a group of his relatives and anti-death penalty activists gathered outside Dezful Prison. One of the participants named Azim Farokhvand was shot dead by the police Special Unit, and a number of others were injured and arrested,” the source added.

Photo: Azim Farokhvand

In executing Karim Farokhvand and Mahmoud Ostad-Mamzaei for an armed robbery without fatalities, the Islamic Republic has once again violated its ICCPR obligations which restrict the death penalty to “the most serious crimes,” defined by the General Comment of the United Nations Human Rights Committee as intentional killing (murder).

Article 279 of the IPC defines moharebeh (enmity against God) as: “drawing a weapon on the life, property or honour of the public or causing them terror, in a way that creates an environment of insecurity.” When a person draws a weapon on one or several specific individuals with personal motives, but their action does not have a public element, and also a person who draws a weapon on the public but does not create an atmosphere of insecurity due to their incompetence, they shall not be considered a mohareb (person who commits moharebeh).

Article 281 of the IPC stipulates that “bandits, robbers and smugglers who resort to arms and disrupt the security of the public and roads, shall be considered mohareb.”

Article 282 of the IPC sanctions the death penalty in cases of moharebeh. However, power is granted to judges to impose the alternative punishments of crucifixion, amputation of the right hand and left foot, or domestic exile away from the defendant’s hometown.