Iran | Inmates executed in Ardabil, Aligudarz

Iran Human Rights (IHR); October 28, 2020: According to Iran Human Rights, early this morning, October 28, a male prisoner was executed at Ardabil Central Prison.

The identity of the prisoner who had been sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, has been established as Hadi Hosseini, who was around 25 years old and an Ardabil native.

He had been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for his execution from Ward 6 of the prison, but before turning 25, he spent time in the juvenile ward of the prison.

A source familiar with Hadi Hossein’s case told IHR: “In early 2017, he stabbed an individual with a knife during a mass fight in the street who later died.”

At the time of publication, the execution of this prisoner has not been announced by the domestic media or officials in Iran.

According to Iran Human Rights’ annual report, at least 225 of the 280 of those executed in 2019 were charged with "premeditated murder."

As there are no legal distinctions made between murder and manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary in Iran, those charged under the umbrella term of “premeditated murder” will receive the death penalty regardless of intent and the circumstances.

Male prisoner executed at Aligudarz Central Prison

Iran Human Rights (IHR); October 28, 2020: According to Iran Human Rights, a male prisoner was executed at Aligudarz Central Prison on the morning of Monday, October 26.

His identity has been established as 34-year-old Peyman Safaei from Lorestan, who had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

An informed source discussed the details of Peyman Safayi’s case with IHR: "He was behind bars on the charge of carrying 75 kilograms of methamphetamine and was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. He said he was the driver of the car and the drugs belonged to someone else who had stashed it in his car. The owner of the drugs who Peyman was talking about was in the car with him but he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.”

At the time of publication, the execution of Peyman Safaei has not been announced by domestic media or officials in Iran.

Peyman Safaei was previously transferred to solitary confinement on September 22 but his execution was suspended for unknown reasons and he was returned to his cell 48 hours later.

According to Iran Human Rights’ annual report on the death penalty in Iran, at least 30 people were executed on drug-related charges in 2019.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, October 28, 2020

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