He was a known sympathizer of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (known frequently and interchangeably by the abbreviations MEK, PMOI, or MKO),[4] which is a comparatively progressive political-militant organization focused on interpreting Islam in a way that politically promotes tolerance, democracy, and social and gendered equality, countering the more conservative government in power in Iran.
After his 2008 arrest, authorities claimed that they discovered documents suggesting that Khosravi was working with MEK's satellite television channel, Simaye Azadi (translated to "Voice of Freedom").
[6] They also accused Iranian officials of pressuring Khosravi to give televised confessions and to name associates, both of which he apparently refused to do.
The death sentence caused an international outcry from groups such as Amnesty International,[2] Human Rights Watch,[6] The Center for Human Rights in Iran,[3] National Council of Resistance of Iran,[4] and others that condemned the Iranian government for depriving Khosravi of due process in convicting him.
"[6] Section 6 of the same covenant states that the death penalty "may be imposed only for the most serious of crimes," and Human Rights Watch accused Iran of violating the covenant by executing Khosravi for the mere offense of "providing information and money to a Mojahedin-e Khalq-affiliated television station," which would not meet the threshold specified in Section 6.
[9] In May 2013, Iran revised its Islamic Penal Code to specify that charges of moharebeh could only be brought against people who had literally, not figuratively, taken up arms.
Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience, "held solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association, including his work as a defence lawyer and in the Centre".
[3] Approximately two months prior to Khosravi's execution, on 17 April 2014, Evin Prison guards raided Ward 350 and beat many of the inmates imprisoned there.
According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the guards were acting on orders from the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence to single out and assault Ward 350's political prisoners.
[11] Iran Human Rights posited that Khosravi's execution, which was indeed scheduled soon after the hunger strike, may have been in retaliation against the political prisoners' resistance and protest of the 17 April assault.
[2] The unusual and sudden timing for the family visit, combined with Khosravi's transfer to Raja'i Shahr Prison, alerted human rights organizations to the impending execution.