Iran | Executions in Birjand, Urmia

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); February 22, 2023: Davoud Rakjan, a Baluch man sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was executed in Birjand Central Prison.

According to Hal Vash, a Baluch man was executed in Arak Central Prison on February 21. His identity has been reported as 44-year-old Davoud Rakjan (known as Nabi Kharkouhi) who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

Davoud Rakjan was married with children and had been behind bars for 3 years.

At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

On January 27, Iran Human Rights warned of the high number of drug executions currently being carried out in Iran. Of the 66 executions carried out in January, at least 43 (65%) people were executed for drug-related charges, none of which were officially announced.

Drug executions dramatically dropped between 2018-2020 following the Amendment to the Anti-Drug Laws in 2017. However, this reversed in practice in 2021 when numbers increased by five-fold and have continued to rise throughout 2022 and 2023.

Three Men Executed for Murder in Urmia

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); February 21, 2023: Three men sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, were executed in Urmia Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were executed in Urmia Central Prison on February 21. Their identities have been established as Sadollah Farokhi Jormi, Vahid Beizayi and Amir Ali Beirami. They were all sentenced to qisas for murder.

Speaking to Iran Human Rights, an informed said: “They were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions on February 19. Sadollah Farokhi was sentenced to death around four years ago and the other two from four to five years.”

At the time of writing, none of their executions have been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

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.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, February 21, 2023

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