Loghman Moradi
hanged
Loghman Moradi died on September 8, 2018, after being executed by hanging in Iran. His death followed a highly controversial judicial process in which he, along with his cousin Zaniar Moradi, was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture to extract forced confessions.
Torture and Forced Confession: Loghman and his cousin were arrested in 2009 and detained for nearly nine months in the Sanandaj Intelligence Agency, where they faced extensive torture. Both men later claimed they had been forced to confess to a crime they did not commit, under duress and physical abuse. Loghman’s confessions were obtained by beating, threats, and other forms of torture, which were used to coerce him into admitting involvement in the murder of the son of Marivan's imam. Despite their claims of innocence, the confessions were used as primary evidence in their conviction.
Unfair Trial: Following their torture and forced confessions, Loghman and Zaniar were convicted and sentenced to death. The trial was widely regarded as unfair, with no access to proper legal representation and no opportunity for the defense to challenge the torture-induced confessions. The Iranian judicial system failed to offer them a fair trial in accordance with international human rights standards, which contributed to their wrongful conviction.
Execution: Loghman Moradi was executed on September 8, 2018, by hanging, along with his cousin. The execution followed years of harsh detention, and despite international protests, the Iranian government proceeded with the capital punishment. Loghman’s death sparked international outrage and condemnation from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, who condemned the use of torture, forced confessions, and the unjust application of the death penalty.
Biography
Loghman Moradi (1983 – September 8, 2018) was a Kurdish Iranian who was arrested in 2009 along with his cousin Zaniar Moradi in the town of Marivan, Kurdistan, Iran. They were accused of killing the son of Marivan's imam and were sentenced to death. However, both men later claimed that their confessions were forced under torture and that they were innocent of the crime.
Loghman was held in detention at the Sanandaj Intelligence Agency for nine months, enduring severe physical and psychological torture. His family was denied visits from 2009 until 2013. Despite international condemnation, Loghman and his cousin were executed on September 8, 2018.
The execution sparked widespread outrage, with Amnesty International and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemning the lack of fair trials and the use of torture in their case. Loghman’s death became a symbol of the oppression of minorities and the injustice of Iran’s judicial system, particularly in the treatment of Kurdish individuals and political prisoners.
Loghman Moradi (1983 – September 8, 2018) was a Kurdish Iranian man who became a symbol of injustice and oppression in Iran due to his wrongful execution after being tortured and forced to confess to a crime he did not commit. His case highlighted the harsh treatment faced by ethnic minorities, particularly the Kurdish population in Iran, as well as the widespread use of torture to extract confessions.
Early Life:
Loghman Moradi was born in 1983 in the Kurdish region of Iran. Little is known about his early life, but he came from a Kurdish background, a group that has long faced discrimination and political repression by the Iranian government. Like many Kurdish activists, Loghman was vocal about issues of political freedom and human rights in Iran. He, along with his cousin Zaniar Moradi, was active in seeking justice and standing against the regime’s repression of the Kurdish people.
Arrest and Incarceration:
Loghman and his cousin Zaniar were arrested on August 2, 2009 in the Kurdish town of Marivan, located in Kurdistan, Iran. The two men were accused of killing the son of Marivan’s imam, a crime they both denied committing. During their arrest, they were detained in the Sanandaj Intelligence Agency, where they were held for nine months. During this time, both men were subjected to extreme physical and psychological torture in an attempt to force them to confess to the crime. They both later stated that they had been coerced into giving false confessions under torture. Their family was banned from visiting them from the time of their arrest in 2009 until 2013, adding further distress to an already difficult situation.
Despite their denials and claims of innocence, the Iranian authorities pushed forward with their charges. The judicial process against them was heavily criticized for lacking transparency, with both men being denied a fair trial and legal representation.
Execution:
On September 8, 2018, Loghman Moradi and his cousin Zaniar Moradi were executed by hanging in what human rights organizations considered a flawed judicial process. The execution of both men was carried out despite international calls to halt the proceedings and investigate the circumstances surrounding their cases. Loghman and Zaniar had both been convicted based on forced confessions and had been subjected to torture while in detention.
The execution sparked outrage both within Iran and internationally, drawing attention to the unjust use of the death penalty, torture, and the oppression of Kurdish Iranians and dissenters under the regime.
International Reaction:
The execution of Loghman Moradi and his cousin Zaniar led to widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations. Amnesty International described the executions as horrifying, with Philip Luther, Amnesty’s research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa, stating:
"We are horrified by the news that the Iranian authorities have executed these men, despite widespread condemnation of their death sentences and calls from UN human rights experts and other bodies to halt their executions."
Additionally, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, expressed deep concern, pointing out that the men were not afforded fair trials and had been subjected to torture. She condemned the Iranian government's actions, calling them a violation of international human rights standards.
Legacy:
Loghman Moradi’s death has become a symbol of the continued repression of ethnic minorities in Iran, especially the Kurds, and the injustice of the Iranian justice system. His case has been cited as an example of the Iranian government's systematic use of torture and forced confessions to suppress political dissent. The international condemnation of his execution has put a spotlight on the human rights violations in Iran and the need for legal reforms to protect the rights of prisoners.
Loghman’s case also served to highlight the broader issue of the Iranian regime’s treatment of political prisoners, especially those who belong to ethnic minorities like the Kurds. His death, alongside that of his cousin, galvanized calls for greater accountability for the Iranian government, with activists and human rights groups continuing to campaign for the protection of the rights of minorities in Iran.
Ultimately, Loghman Moradi’s legacy lives on in the efforts to highlight the plight of Kurdish Iranians and all political prisoners in the country, advocating for freedom, justice, and an end to torture and unfair trials in Iran. His story is a reminder of the sacrifice made by individuals who stand against oppression, and it continues to inspire those fighting for human rights and democracy in Iran.
Pleas of Surviving Relatives and Family if any
The surviving relatives of Loghman Moradi and his family pleaded for justice and fair treatment after the unjust detention and execution of Loghman. They consistently claimed that both Loghman and his cousin Zaniar had been wrongfully accused and forced to confess under torture. They highlighted the lack of proper legal representation, the denial of family visits, and the failure of the Iranian government to uphold their human rights during the trial and incarceration.
In particular, Loghman’s family lobbied for their release and for the truth to be acknowledged. His father and other family members pushed back against the Iranian government's efforts to present them as criminals and actively worked to expose the torture and mistreatment Loghman and his cousin suffered while in custody.
After the execution of Loghman, the family continued their calls for accountability and international attention, urging the Iranian authorities to halt the executions of prisoners who had been tortured into confessions and had not received fair trials. Despite their pleas, the execution went ahead, further fueling their demand for justice and human rights reform in Iran.
Sources & References
Moradi was arrested by security forces in Marivan, a town in Kurdistan, Iran, on August 2, 2009, alongside his cousin Zaniar. He was then detained at the Sanandaj Intelligence Agency for a period of nine months, during which he endured severe physical and psychological torture. Throughout this time, his family was denied visits from 2009 until 2013.1 en.wikipedia.org Open source