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Iran | Executions in Karaj, Urmia, Isfahan, Dezful, Zahedan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 10, 2023: Three men were executed for drug-related charges in Qezel Hesar Prison. Bullets and tear gas were fired at families of death row prisoners gathered outside the prison to save their lives.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were executed in Qezel Hesar Prison on 10 May. Their identities have been established as Hossein Panjak, Abdolhossein Emami Moghaddam and Babak Aghayi. They were all sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

Their families gathered outside the prison last night in an attempt to save their lives but were met with forces who beat them with batons, bullets and tear gas.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “One of the families was taken to hospital and is in a serious condition after being beaten. Prison authorities fired bullets in the air and shot paint balls at the families. One of them was hit with a club and was in a bad state when they were transferred to the hospital.”

“Hossein Panjak had a stay of execution, but they carried out his execution without regard to the order,” the source added.

Man Executed in Urmia


Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 9, 2023: Mehdi Teimouri, a man sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was executed in Urmia Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Urmia Central prison on 5 May. His identity has been established as Mehdi Teimouri who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

Iran Human Rights previously reported the executions of Faramarz Shakhsi, Davod Mahmoudyar and Behzad Hanifi at the prison that day.

Official sources reported a drug execution in Western Azerbaijan province that day without naming the executed individual. As such, none of the three men have been named by official sources.

According to reports gathered by Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), at least 256 people were executed for drug-related offences in 2022, a more than two-fold increase compared to 2021 (126) and ten times more than 2020 (25).

Man executed in Isfahan


Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 9, 2023: Mohammad Ahmadi, a Baluch man sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was executed in Isfahan Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a Baluch man was executed in Isfahan Central prison on 8 May. His identity has been reported as 45-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

He was arrested around three years ago and was had three children.

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

Ethnic minorities, the Baluch in particular, are grossly overrepresented in execution numbers in Iran. In 2022, at least 174 Baluch minorities including 3 women, were executed in 22 prisons across Iran, making up 30% of overall executions. This is while they represent just 2-6% of Iran’s population.

Baluch minorities also represented almost half of drug-related executions in 2022. 47.3% of the 256 people executed for drug-related charges were Baluch.

Four Unidentified Men Executed for Rape in Karaj


Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 10, 2023: Four unidentified men have been executed for rape charges in Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht Prison).

According to Iran Human Rights, four men were executed in Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht) Prison on 10 May. Their identities of the men who were all sentenced to death for rape charges have not been established at the time of writing.

Iran Human Rights earlier reported the execution of three men in Qezel Hesar Prison which brings the number of executions to seven so far today.

At the time of writing, the execution of the three men have not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

In cases of rape, there is a high chance of defendants being tortured to make false confessions, which is used to issue death sentences. In Iran is one of the few countries in the world that issues the death penalty for rape. A lot of cases are also rushed without the defendants having access to a lawyer.

Man executed in Dezful


Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 5, 2023: An unidentified man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed in Dezful Prison.

According to the Iranian Judiciary’s Mizan news agency, a man was executed in Dezful Prison on 8 May. The executed man has not been named in the report.

He is alleged to have killed a policeman on 31 July 2021 per the report.

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.

Man Executed in Zahedan


Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 8, 2023: Yasser Rakhshani, a Baluch man sentenced to qisas(retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed in Zahedan Central Prison.

According to Hal Vash, a Baluch man was executed in Zahedan Central Prison on 8 May. His identity has been reported as 29-year-old Yasser Rakhshani who was sentenced to qisas for murder.

At the time of writing, his execution has not 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, May 8-10, 2023


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