Masoud Rahimi faces imminent execution: Family pleads for clemency and final farewell

Masoud Rahimi, a 34-year-old Singaporean on death row, is scheduled for execution on 29 November 2024 for a capital drug offence.

In his defence, Masoud claimed that an illegal moneylending syndicate had planted the drugs in his car to frame him after he decided to stop working for them.

However, the High Court rejected this defence and convicted him of trafficking 31.14g of heroin—a capital offence—and 77g of methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice.

His family, including his father, who resides overseas and cannot travel to Singapore in time, is pleading for clemency and the chance for a final conversation before Masoud’s life is taken.

The urgency of their appeal comes amid a broader debate on the application of the death penalty in Singapore.

Masoud was arrested in 2010 at the age of 20, shortly before completing his National Service (NS).

Born in Singapore to a Singaporean mother and Iranian father, he spent his childhood between Iran and Dubai. Returning to Singapore alone at 17 to fulfil his NS obligations, he reportedly struggled with isolation and adjustment.

He is also leading 36 death row prisoners in a constitutional challenge to the Post-Appeal in Capital Cases Act.

A hearing for this challenge is scheduled for 20 January 2025, but Masoud will not be able to see it through if he is executed on Friday.

Masoud’s family, who were informed of his impending execution on 22 November 2024, have appealed to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam for clemency.

They also request that the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), over a short phone call, allow his father to speak with him for a final goodbye.

The short notice, compounded by visa requirements, has left his Iranian family unable to travel in time.

Advocates and supporters are calling on the public to write to the SPS, urging them to grant Masoud a final farewell with his father via video call.

Legal and ethical concerns

Masoud’s case has raised legal and ethical questions. While he was not considered a minor under Singapore’s criminal law at the time of his arrest, being only 20 years old, his youth and vulnerability have been central to his family’s clemency appeal.

Additionally, he held dual citizenship at the time, which should have triggered consular notification under international agreements. However, the Iranian Consulate was not informed, depriving him of consular support.

Further, allegations of misconduct have emerged, including unauthorised access to Masoud’s private letters by the Singapore Prison Service and Attorney-General’s Chambers. These violations were deemed unlawful by the Court of Appeal last month.

Masoud is also pursuing a stay of execution, citing new evidence from witnesses who claim that his role in the case was limited to that of a courier.

One witness, reportedly in a punishment cell, has been unable to provide an affidavit in time. A stay would allow the court the opportunity to consider this potential evidence properly.

A legacy of compassion

Masoud’s years on death row have been marked by an unwavering commitment to helping others.

Despite his dire circumstances, he has devoted his time to drafting legal applications for fellow prisoners, often at the expense of his own case. His sister Maya describes him as deeply spiritual, humble, and resilient.

“Masoud believes his purpose is to help others on death row,” Maya shared, highlighting his extraordinary legal knowledge, which has brought hope to many prisoners with limited resources.

Calls for action

Advocacy groups, including the Transformative Justice Collective, are urging Singaporeans to support Masoud’s clemency appeal and call for a moratorium on the death penalty. They emphasise that Masoud’s case exemplifies the systemic issues within Singapore’s justice system, particularly regarding death penalty cases.

Maya also appeals to the public to write to the Singapore Prison Service, requesting they permit her father to communicate with Masoud before the execution.

While Masoud’s father was able to speak with him during a phone call after the announcement of the execution, the family has shared that they have been requesting a video call for a more meaningful farewell.

“This is not just about justice—it’s about basic human decency,” Maya said.

Advocates note that facilitating such a call is not logistically impossible; it is simply a matter of the prison’s willingness to accommodate the request. In a previous instance, 36 inmates were arranged to be in separate rooms and used separate devices to participate via Zoom for their earlier suit.

As the clock ticks toward Masoud’s scheduled execution, his family and supporters continue to hold onto hope for a last-minute reprieve.

There is also an appeal by Masoud scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal at 6 pm on Thursday, which will be held in open court.