• <coverage-outsourcing id='2891'> The confessions of two of the six defendant's in the case - Hashem Shabani and Hadi Rashedi- were broadcast on Press TV, the Islamic Republic of Iran's English-speaking media outlet. These video also included a confession from Tah Heidarian, an Arabic-speaking Iranian activist who was ultimately executed. Press TV has been accused of airing forced confessions that were made under torture. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2886'> Amnesty International issued a statement highlighting the possibility of these six Arab residents of Ahvaz being executed by Iranian security forces and warned that they are at risk of being executed on the charge of "enmity against God". These individuals are currently being held in Karoun Prison in Ahvaz. At least four of them were not allowed access to an attorney for eight months since the time of their arrest. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2877'> During the first trial session he told the judge that there is no movement and that all the charges against him are made up by security forces. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2893'> He was tried in Branch 2 of Ahvaz Revolutionary Court and sentenced to execution on charges of "Enmity against God', "Corruption on Earth", "Propagating against the system", and "Attempts against national security". </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2880'> He was transferred from Karoun Prison to Ahvaz Intelligence Ministry's lock-up alongside the other defendants in this case </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2881'> After returning these inmates from the Ahvaz Intelligence Ministry's lock-up to Karoun Prison, it became apparent that they were subjected to severe torture while held by the Intelligence Ministry. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2874'> It was reported that despite his severe physical conditions and health complications, prison authorities refuse to allow him to be hospitalized and have told him that he is "not worthy of medical treatment". </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2864'> His death sentence was upheld by Branch 32 of the Supreme Court. The following Judges voted to uphold his execution: Judge Farajollahi, Judge Ghaem Maghami, and Judge Lotfi. Some reports claim this sentence was upheld prior to this date. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2887'> It was reported that these five Arab Iranian citizens were taken to an unknown location. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2890'> Markus Löning, the German Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, published a statement requesting an immediate stop to the enforcement of the death sentences for the five Arab Iranian residents of Ahvaz </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2883'> Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union, requested a halt in the enforcement of the sentences of the five individuals involved in his case. Human Rights Watch, the UN Human Rights Council, multiple Iranian human rights organizations outside of Iran, and the British Government had previously requested that the death sentences for these five Arab-Iranian activists as well. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2865'> The five Arab prisoners sentenced to death and their co-defendant, Ramham Asakere, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison, began a hunger strike in protest of their sentences being upheld by the Supreme Court. This strike lasted for 28 days. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2895'> He wrote a letter addressed to "All those who value humanity" from Karoun Prison. In this letter he demanded an unbiased and fair retrial of his case and insisted that his confessions were made under torture by security forces. He states in his letter : > All my contacts and corresponcence have been carried out independently and without coordination with any other entity or individual. I have tried to inform the world of the criminal actions of Iran's state organizations against the country's Arab-Ahvazi citizens, including the lawless and cruel executions. Through the same correspondence, I wanted to defend the legitimate right of any nation on the planet earth, which is the right to life, living, and enjoyment of civil rights and freedom. Despite all this injustice, I have never tried to carry arms and to carry out armed confrontation, and have never used any weapons other than my pen for confronting such ugly crimes. . </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2873'> He was transferred to the Intelligence Ministry and was put under extreme pressure and tortured for 52 days. He was later returned to Karoun Prison. He had previously written a letter which describes his torture at the hands of the Intelligence Ministry in order to coerce a confession and requested the global community's support. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2860'> He was transferred from Karoun Prison in Ahvaz to an unknown location. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2861'> 13 human rights organizations, including United for Iran, issued a joint statement expressing their concern over Hadi Rashedi and Hashem Shabani's situation. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2857'> Security forces contacted the families of Hadi Rashedi and Hashem Shabani and announced that they had been executed and that their burial sites would be relayed to the families in the future. According to one of their defense attorneys, their sentences were being reviewed and had not been upheld or overturned. Security forces only allowed a limited funeral service for the immediate family within 24 hours. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2870'> John Baird, the Canadian Foreign Minister, condemned the executions of Hashem Shabani and Hadi Rashedi. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='2867'> About ten months from the time that his execution was announced, residents of Joubjei Village, near Ramhormoz, testified that they witnessed security forces bury Hashem Shabani and Hadi Rashedi near the village last winter. </coverage-outsourcing>