Amid the harsh confines of Evin Prison, two exceptional young men—Amirhossein Moradi and Ali Younesi—stand as symbols of resilience and defiance. These imprisoned elites, both former students of Sharif University of Technology, have joined the “No Execution Tuesdays Campaign,” calling on students across Iran to unite in opposition to the death penalty.
In a moving appeal from prison, Moradi and Younesi vividly described the devastating impact of executions in Iran. They wrote:
“We understand execution when the prisoner who smiled yesterday is gone forever after their name is called from the loudspeaker. We understand execution when we recall the screams of Mohsen Shekari’s mother and the tears of Mohammed Ghobadlou’s mother. We understand execution when the fear of losing Ekbatan’s children—youths full of dreams—brings tears to our eyes.”
Their plea is not just a cry of despair but a call to action. The two prisoners posed a haunting question: “What have we done to stop executions?” With at least 650 executions carried out in Iran since the start of the year, Moradi and Younesi urge Iranians to rise against this unrelenting cycle of violence. They emphasized:
“If now is the time for unity, then let us stand hand in hand against executions—this most humane common ground.”
A Call to Students: Uniting Against Injustice
Moradi and Younesi concluded their message with an urgent request to students nationwide. They asked them to join the “No Execution Tuesdays” and participate in strikes and acts of solidarity. From within prison walls, they emphasized the power of collective resistance and urged students to show unity in any form possible.
From Academic Excellence to Imprisonment
Both Moradi and Younesi’s stories are a tragic testament to the Iranian regime’s repression of its brightest minds.
- Ali Younesi: A computer engineering student at Sharif University, Younesi won a gold medal in the 2017 International Astronomy Olympiad. However, his academic brilliance was met with brutal punishment. Arrested in 2020, he spent months in solitary confinement before being sentenced to 16 years in prison on unfounded charges.
- Amirhossein Moradi: A physics student at the same prestigious university, Moradi earned a silver medal in the Astronomy Olympiad. Despite his achievements, he too was targeted by the authorities and sentenced to prison for his alleged activities.
The Fight Against Executions
The courage of Moradi and Younesi serves as a rallying cry for students, activists, and all those committed to justice in Iran. Their campaign reminds us that the fight against the death penalty is not just a legal battle but a deeply human one, rooted in the shared values of dignity, compassion, and the right to life.
By joining their call, students across Iran have the opportunity to transform their solidarity into a powerful movement against state violence. Moradi and Younesi’s voices, echoing from the confines of Evin Prison, remind us that even in the face of oppression, the human spirit remains unbroken.
Source: Irannewsupdate.com