Iran | Man Executed in Zahedan, Man Executed in Mashhad, 8 Men Executed in Rajai Shahr Prison in One Day

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 26, 2022: Abdollah Barahouyi, a Baluch man sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Zahedan Central Prison.

According to the Baluch Activists Campaign, a Baluch man was executed on May 21. His identity has been reported as Zahedan-native, Abdollah Barahouyi who was sentenced to death for drug-related offences.

The execution of Esmail Shehbakhsh, another Baluch prisoner was previously reported at the same prison on that day.

At the time of writing, neither of their executions have been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

According to reports compiled by Iran Human Rights, at least 126 people were executed on drug-related charges in 2021, a fivefold increase compared to drug executions in the previous three years. None of the 2021 drug-relateZd executions were reported by official sources.

Data gathered by Iran Human Rights also shows that Baluch prisoners accounted for 21% of all executions in 2021, while only representing 2–6% of Iran’s population.

Unidentified Man Executed for Murder in Mashhad

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 26, 2022: A man only named as Elias. Gh was executed for murder charges in Mashhad Central Prison.

According to Khorasan newspaper, a man was executed in Mashhad Central Prison on the morning of May 22. His identity was reported as 29-year-old Elias. Gh who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder by Branch Five of the Khorasan-Razavi Criminal Court.

The 29-year-old man is alleged to have committed the murder during a staged accident on 10 October 2018. His sentence was upheld by Branch 28 of the Supreme Court.

According to data gathered by Iran Human Rights, at least 183 people were executed on murder charges in 2021. Those charged with the umbrella term of “intentional murder” are sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) regardless of intent or circumstances due to a lack of grading in law. Once a defendant has been convicted, the victim’s family are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.

8 Men Executed in Rajai Shahr Prison in a Day

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 26, 2022: Eight men who were sentenced to death for armed robbery and murder, were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison in one day.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, eight men were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison on the morning of May 25. Six of the men have been identified as Ramin Arab, Abbas Bitarafan, Gholamhossein Zeinali, Ali Nosrati, Vahid Mianabadi and Ali Montazeri.

Ramin Arab was sentenced to death on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery and the other seven men were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Ten men were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions over the last few days. Most of them were held in Ward 2 prior to their execution. Two of the men were returned to their cells after obtaining extensions from their victim’s family.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Karim Bagheri the football player was at the prison and was trying to gain forgiveness for Abbas Bitarafan from the victim’s family but they refused. Karim Bagheri also tried to speak to the other families and eventually two of the men were returned to their cells.”

“Ramin Arab had severely self-harmed prior to execution and was transferred to the hospital. They took him to the gallows from the hospital,” the source added.

Yesterday, Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi announced that a prisoner with the initials R.A had been executed. Though the location was not specified, he seemed to have been referring to Ramin Arab.

At the time of writing, the other seven prisoners’ executions have not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, May 26-27, 2022

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