Amnesty International Public Statement
Date: 18 June 2024
Reference: MDE 13/8181/2024
Title: Iran/Sweden: Staggering Blow to Justice for 1988 Prison Massacres in Iran Amid Long Overdue Release of Swedish Nationals
The release of Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian prison official sentenced to life by a Swedish court for his involvement in the 1988 prison massacres, through a prisoner exchange deal between Iran and Sweden on 15 June 2024, is a profound setback for justice. This decision by the Swedish government undermines the fight against impunity in Iran, disappointing survivors and the families of the victims, said Amnesty International.
This action emboldens Iranian authorities to continue committing international crimes, including hostage-taking, without fear of reprisal. It also undermines the right to justice and reparations for survivors and victims’ families, raising doubts about Sweden’s commitment to international law. The premature release of Nouri dilutes the impact of the landmark rulings by Swedish courts under the principle of universal jurisdiction, marking the only prosecution of an Iranian official for the mass disappearances and extrajudicial executions of thousands of prisoners over 30 years ago.
The circumstances of Nouri’s release confirm Amnesty International’s concerns that Iranian authorities had detained Swedish nationals as leverage to exchange for Nouri. While Amnesty shares the relief of the families of Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi, who returned home on 15 June after enduring severe human rights violations in Iran, the organization has consistently advocated for the immediate release of all foreign and dual nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran.
Grave Risk of Execution of Ahmadreza Djalali
Ahmadreza Djalali, a Swedish-Iranian medical doctor, remains arbitrarily detained in Iran since April 2016 and is at risk of execution amid Iran’s ongoing execution spree. Sentenced to death in October 2017 on dubious charges following a grossly unfair trial, Djalali’s situation remains dire. Swedish authorities must act urgently to secure his release and ensure his rights, including the right to life, are protected.
Entrenching Crisis of Impunity in Iran
Iran has long had a systemic impunity crisis for international crimes and serious human rights violations. No Iranian officials have been criminally investigated or punished in Iran for the 1988 extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances. The 2022 conviction of Hamid Nouri in Stockholm marked a historic accountability milestone, now undermined by his release. Amnesty International remains steadfast in pursuing justice and reparations for victims’ families and survivors, urging all states to exercise universal jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Iranian officials involved in crimes against humanity.
Emboldening Hostage-Taking
The prisoner swap with Iran risks encouraging further hostage-taking. Swedish authorities must investigate whether the detention of Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi constituted hostage-taking and ensure accountability. Amnesty International has documented Floderus’s arbitrary arrest and the severe violations he faced, including enforced disappearance and prolonged solitary confinement.
Background
Iranian authorities have a history of detaining dual and foreign nationals as leverage. Amnesty International urges all states with nationals detained in Iran to investigate if these detentions amount to hostage-taking and take appropriate measures under the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages. This convention defines hostage-taking broadly, encompassing state officials’ actions, and mandates accountability for those complicit in such crimes. Both Iran and Sweden, as parties to the convention, are bound by its provisions.