Massoud Rahimi faces imminent execution: family asks for pardon and final farewell

Masood Rahimi, a 34-year-old Singaporean on death row, is scheduled to be executed on November 29, 2024 for a drug-related crime.

His family, including his father, who lives abroad and cannot make it to Singapore in time, is pleading for clemency and a chance for one last conversation before Masood’s life is taken.

The urgency of their appeal comes amid a wide-ranging debate over the use of the death penalty in Singapore.

Masoud was arrested in 2010 at the age of 20, shortly before the end of his civil service.

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

He is also leading 36 death row inmates in a constitutional challenge to the Death Penalty Appeals Act.

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

Massoud’s family, who were informed of the threat of his execution on November 22, 2024, appealed to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam for clemency.

They are also asking that the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) with a short phone call allow his father to speak to him for a final farewell.

The short notice, combined with visa requirements, meant that his Iranian family could not travel in time.

Supporters and supporters are calling on the public to write to the SPS, urging them to allow Massoud to say goodbye to his father for the last time via video call.

Legal and ethical issues

Masoud’s case raised legal and ethical questions. Although he was not considered a juvenile under Singapore’s criminal law at the time of his arrest, as he was only 20 years old, his youth and vulnerability were central to his family’s appeal for clemency.

In addition, at the time he had dual citizenship, which should have triggered a consular notification in accordance with international agreements. However, the Iranian consulate was not notified, depriving him of consular support.

In addition, there have been allegations of misconduct, including unauthorized access to Masood’s private letters by the Singapore Penitentiary Service and the Attorney-General’s Chambers. These violations were declared illegal by the Court of Appeal last month.

Massoud is also seeking a stay of execution, citing new witness testimony that claims his role in the case was limited to that of a courier.

One witness, who was reportedly in a detention center, failed to testify under oath in time. An adjournment will allow the court to properly consider this potential evidence.

A Legacy of Compassion

Massoud’s years on death row were marked by an unwavering commitment to helping others.

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

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

Calls to action

Human rights groups, including the Transformative Justice Collective, are calling on Singaporeans to support Masood’s appeal for clemency and call for a moratorium on the death penalty. They emphasize that Masud’s case exemplifies systemic problems in Singapore’s justice system, particularly in death penalty cases.

Maya is also calling on the public to write to the Singapore Penitentiary Service to request that her father be allowed to speak to Masood before his execution.

Although Massoud’s father was able to speak to him on the phone after the execution was announced, the family shared that they wanted a video call for a more meaningful farewell.

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

Proponents note that facilitating such a call is not logistically impossible; it is simply a matter of the prison’s willingness to grant the request. In the previous case, 36 inmates were housed in separate rooms and used different devices to participate via Zoom for their previous suit.

As the clock ticks down on Massoud’s scheduled execution, his family and supporters continue to hope for a last-minute reprieve.

There is also appeal Massoud is scheduled to appear in open court at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.