Iran has sentenced three individuals to death and imprisoned several others in connection with deadly attacks on a Shiite shrine in the southern city of Shiraz. The attacks, which took place at the Shah Cheragh mausoleum in the capital of Fars province, resulted in the deaths of 15 people and were claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.
The sentences were handed down following proceedings at the Shiraz Revolutionary Court. The three individuals sentenced to death were convicted of aiding and abetting “corruption on earth,” a charge that carries the death penalty in Iran. In addition to the death sentences, these three defendants also received 25-year prison terms for “aiding and abetting in moharebeh,” which refers to the serious crime of enmity against God.
Apart from the three death sentences, two other individuals believed to be members of the IS group received prison terms of 15 years and 10 years, respectively. These sentences reflected their level of involvement and influence in the attacks on the shrine.
Additionally, two women implicated in the case were each sentenced to five years in prison. However, their sentences will be served with certain leniencies under Islamic law. They will be monitored through electronic ankle bracelets and confined to a one-kilometer radius around their homes, rather than being placed in traditional prison facilities.
The judiciary indicated that other aspects of the investigation, including charges related to weapons trafficking, are still under review. Some verdicts have been appealed and are currently awaiting decisions from Iran’s Supreme Court.
These recent sentences come after Iran executed two men publicly in July 2023 for their roles in the first attack on the shrine. The first attack took place in October 2022, and the second attack occurred in August 2023. After the second attack, security forces arrested nine individuals, all foreigners. One of those arrested, a Tajik member of the Islamic State, was sentenced to death shortly after the arrests.
The Shah Cheragh mausoleum is an important Shiite religious site and a significant cultural landmark in Shiraz. Attacks on such sites have historically been aimed at creating sectarian tension and undermining national security. The Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for these attacks, has targeted Shiite minorities and religious sites in several countries as part of its broader extremist agenda.
The death sentences and prison terms are part of Iran’s broader judicial response to terrorism and attacks on its soil, especially those targeting religious and cultural institutions. The government’s strict stance reflects the seriousness with which it treats acts deemed to threaten social stability and religious harmony.
While the death penalty remains controversial internationally, it continues to be applied in Iran for crimes categorized as severe offenses, including terrorism and acts considered as “enmity against God.” The charge of “moharebeh” is one of the most serious offenses under Iranian law, often associated with armed rebellion or acts that threaten the state and society.
The decision to impose death sentences, lengthy prison terms, and monitored house arrest reflects a range of punishments tailored to the defendants’ perceived roles in the attacks. The use of electronic monitoring for the two women suggests a degree of judicial leniency in some cases, likely influenced by Islamic legal principles.
The judiciary’s ongoing review of weapons trafficking charges indicates that further prosecutions or sentences may be forthcoming. The appeals process in Iran’s Supreme Court could also result in changes to some verdicts.
This case underscores the continuing threat posed by extremist groups like the Islamic State within the region and highlights the challenges faced by Iranian authorities in safeguarding religious sites and maintaining internal security. The attacks on the Shah Cheragh shrine have deeply impacted the local community and the broader Shiite population, intensifying efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
