Struggle for Freedom

Reports from Tehran indicate that on the morning of July 4th, twenty people convicted of various narcotics-related charges were executed in Rajaei Shahr prison in the city of Karaj.

Charges against the condemned have been announced as “dealing, possession and trafficking” of a variety of drugs.
 
According to reports, clemency had been asked for the condemned convicts, however the Pardoning Board opposed the granting of any pardon and the final sentencing was approved by the Supreme Court.
 
Those executed had been arrested over the years between 2005 and 2008, and they had been charged with possession and trafficking of a cumulative sum of 700 kilograms of drugs including opium, heroin and hashish.
 
The announced ages of the convicts varied anywhere from 35 to 48 years. 
 
One of the condemned men was in possession of 1.5 kilograms of heroin, and was also convicted of the sale of 6 grams of heroin, with intent to sell another 49 grams of heroin and association in the carrying of another 40 grams of heroin.
 
Another condemned man was charged with hiding 1.87 kilograms of heroin.
 
Other condemned men had been charged with trafficking about 9 kilograms of heroin.
 
Among the condemned, one was charged with much harsher crimes.  This individual was charged with trafficking 514 kilograms of morphine and association in the trafficking of 102 kilograms of opium.
 
Another condemned individual was accused of hiding and shipping of 265 kilograms of morphine.
 
Among the group, seven individuals carried or trafficked less than two kilograms of narcotics each, and some of the condemned men were themselves addicted to drugs.

Source: IHRV.org