Babak Zanjani Sentenced to Death for Financial Corruption

Iran Human Rights (MAR 8 2016): In a recent press conference the spokesperson for Iran's Judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i, announced death sentences for Babak Zanjani and two other individuals who are convicted in the same case.

According to Eje'i, the three men were charged with "corruption on earth" by a lower court and sentenced to death. "In addition to the death penalty, the defendants must compensate the plaintiff, the National Iranian Oil Company, and also pay a fine equalling to one fourth of the total amount of the money laundering," says Eje'i.

Zanjani, 34, was reportedly arrested by Iranian authorities on December 30, 2013 and accused of money laundering. Although Eje'i did not mention the names of the two other individuals, Iranian semi-official sources have pubished their names: Mehdi Shams and Hamid Fallah Heravi.

Iran Human Rights strongly condemns the execution sentences for Babak Zanjani, Mehdi Shams and Hamid Fallah Heravi. "Iran's Judiciary regards the death penalty as the main solution to all major problems in Iran. Corruption, drug trafficking and violent crimes are increasing in Iran; despite three decades of executions. Authorities need to realize that the problems of Iranian society are rooted in state corruption and lack of accountability. Executing these three individuals would only add to the grim execution record of the regime in Iran," says Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, spokesperson for Iran Human Rights.

Iran holds the record for the most executions per capita in the world. Additionally, in its 2015 annual report Transparency International ranked Iran 130 out of 168 countries for corruption and gave Iran a score of 27 out of 100 for level of corruption (zero is the most corrupt while 100 is the least).

In a separate case, Iranian authorities reportedly executed a prisoner on May 24, 2014 for financial corruption. Sources say the execution was carried out at Evin Prison.