The Kurdistan Human Rights Network has confirmed that 2 brothers, Ali and Habib Afshari, who were in the group of 6 political prisoners imprisoned in Urmia prison have been hanged.
Activists Habib and Ali Afshari were declared guilty of "corruption on earth" and "acting against God's will" by the Iranian revolutionary court of Mahabad. On January 16, 2012, they were sentenced to be executed.
The statement made by the Kurdistan Human Rights Network is as follows:
The partner of Ali Afshari has told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network that on Friday 20th of February, at noon the Office of Intelligence Service of Iran contacted Mrs Afshari to inform her of the execution of Ali and his brother Habib. 1 of the relatives of the 2 brothers was also called to the Intelligence Services Offices to be formally informed of the execution of both Ali and Habib Afshari.
The family has also been informed that they are not permitted to hold funerals for the executed men in mosques or public places and that they are not permitted to speak to any media agencies. They are to have a quiet and secret gathering in their homes only.
A third brother, Jafar Afshari, who was arrested along with Ali and Habib in 2009-2010 was sentenced to 5 years in prison. The 3 brothers had been on hunger strike several times demanding a fair-retrial and end to torture.