Written on January 11th, 2016

Waiting to die: the Iranian child inmates facing execution – in pictures

Posted in Features, News about Women

In Iran, girls are held criminally accountable by law from the age of nine, and can be sentenced to death by hanging for crimes such as murder, drug trafficking and armed robbery. Sadegh Souri has photographed girls in the harsh conditions of juvenile detention -many of whom are marking time until they turn 18, when their executions will be carried out

  • Iran juvenile detention Mahsa is 17. She fell in love with a boy and intended to marry him, but her father was against the marriage. One day she had an argument with her father, got angry, and killed her father with a kitchen knife. Mahsa�s brothers are requesting the death penalty or lex talionis for her.

    Mahsa is 17. She fell in love with a boy and intended to marry him, but her father was against the marriage. One day she had an argument with her father, got angry, and killed him with a kitchen knife. Mahsa�s brothers are requesting the death penalty for her

    Photograph: Words and pictures from Waiting for Capital Punishment, by Sadegh Souri

  • Shaqayeq, 15, has been in prison for almost a year on the charge of armed robbery from a chain store in Tehran. She and her boyfriend entered the store, and when the police arrived, her boyfriend escaped but Shaqayeq was arrested. Her grandmother came to visit her after a year. Her death sentence has been issued and she must reach 18 so the verdict can be carried out.

    Shaqayeq, 15, has been in prison for almost a year on the charge of armed robbery from a chain store in Tehran. She and her boyfriend entered the store, and when the police arrived, her boyfriend escaped but Shaqayeq was arrested. Her death sentence has been issued and she must reach 18 so the verdict can be carried out. Her grandmother came to visit her after a year

  • Sowgand is 16. When she was alone at home, police officers entered their house with a search warrant, and found 250 kg of opium, 30 grams of cocaine, and 20 grams of heroin. The narcotics belonged to her father, but as only Sowgand had been at home when the officers arrived, she was arrested and detained. It has been almost one year since she has been imprisoned, but none of her family members have visited her.

    Sowgand is 16. When she was alone at home, police officers entered with a search warrant and found 250kg of opium, 30g of cocaine and 20g of heroin. The narcotics belonged to her father, but as only Sowgand was at home when the officers arrived, she was arrested and detained. It has been almost a year since she has been imprisoned. None of her family members have visited her

  • The clergy goes to the Correction Center, the ward of underage girls, every day for a congregational prayer. After prayers, he talks about correct upbringing methods for girls and prays to God to forgive them.

    The clergy goes to the ward of underage girls in the correction centre every day for a congregational prayer. After prayers, he talks about correct upbringing methods for girls and prays to God to forgive them

  • Women inmates can keep their new-borns with them in prison until they are two years old. Zahra was married at age 14 and has two children. She is 17 now and she is in jail because of stealing women�s mobile phones. She has been in prison for the same reason three times

    Women inmates can keep their newborns with them in prison until they are two years old. Zahra was married at age 14 and has two children. She is 17 now and is in jail for stealing mobile phones. She has been in prison for the same reason three times

  • Khatereh is 13. Because of her uncle�s rapes, she ran away from home. One week after running away, a few youths attacked her in a park in Tehran to gang rape her. To save herself, she inflicted cuts on herself with a knife she carried in her purse and wounded her own arm. The police officers found her unconscious on the ground, and after treatment, she was transferred to the Juvenile Delinquents Correction Center.

    Khatereh is 13. She ran away from home after her uncle raped her. One week later, a group of youths attacked her in a park in Tehran to gang-rape her. To save herself, she wounded her own arm with a knife she carried in her purse. The police officers found her unconscious on the ground, and after treatment, she was transferred to the juvenile delinquents correction centre

  • The girls can come to the prison yard for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. Waiting for Capital Punishment Sadegh Souri

    Inmates can go to the prison yard for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening

  • The girls wait for long hours in the queue for food Waiting for Capital Punishment Sadegh Souri

    The girls often wait hours in the queue for food

  • Nazanin is 16. She was arrested about six months ago for the possession of 621 grams of cocaine. The judge has not issued a verdict Waiting for Capital Punishment Sadegh Souri

    Nazanin is 16. She was arrested about six months ago for the possession of 621g of cocaine. The judge has not yet issued a verdict

  • Mahshid is 15 and her charge is an illegitimate relationship and carrying drugs. Her parents are in prison too for having and using drugs. Mahshid will be released in eight months after finishing her sentence.

    Mahshid is 15 and has been charged with having an illegitimate relationship and carrying drugs. Her parents are in prison too for having and using drugs. Mahshid will be released in eight months after finishing her sentence

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