Iran’s Crackdown: Executed Trafficking Leader

Iran’s judiciary announced the execution of Shahrooz Sokhanvari, alias “Alex,” the notorious leader of a women trafficking network that exploited Iranian women for prostitution in neighboring countries. The execution took place on Saturday morning, marking a significant step in the fight against human trafficking.

According to the judiciary’s Mizan news agency, Sokhanvari ran an escort and trafficking network, facilitating the exploitation of Iranian women and girls across the region. He was arrested in Malaysia in 2020 through a joint effort between Interpol and Iranian authorities, and subsequently brought back to Iran. In September 2021, Sokhanvari was sentenced to death for his involvement in the crime of human trafficking for prostitution.

This case has brought attention to the severity of human trafficking in Iran. Notably, several women were also arrested in connection with the same case and are now facing serious charges. Activist HRANA news agency reported on the plight of these women, shedding light on the interconnectedness of gender-based crimes.

These events come against the backdrop of a concerning rise in recorded executions in Iran. Amnesty International’s recent report revealed that executions in the country surged from 314 in 2021 to 576 in 2022, making Iran the second-highest executioner globally, only surpassed by China.

It is essential to acknowledge that there have been cases where women have been wrongly accused of crimes related to human trafficking. Advocates argue that two women who were sentenced to death two years ago were innocent LGBT rights activists caught in a flawed system.

Re-reported from the story originally published in https://www.reuters.com/