Iran | Executions in Khorramabad, Gorgan, Ardabil, Zanjan, Tabriz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); October 17, 2023: Sajad Moradi and Yaser Golzardian, two men sentenced to death for drug-related charges, were executed in Khorramabad Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were executed in Khorramabad Central Prison on 17 October. Their identities have been established as 38-year-old Sajad Moradi from Doroud and Yasser Golzardian from Kouhdasht who were sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Sajad Moradi was arrested around four years ago and Yaser Golzardian was arrested around six years ago. They were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions on 16 October.”

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

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year for the past three years. At least 305 people were executed for drug-related charges between 1 January-10 October 2023, a 69% increase compared to the same period in 2022, and the number of drug-related executions in 2023 were close to 20 times higher than 2020.

The number of drug executions dramatically dropped in 2018 following a 2017 Amendment to the Anti-Narcotics Laws. Consequently, drug executions ranged between 24-30 per annum between 2018-2020. The Amendment was reversed in practice in 2021 when executions increased ten-fold to 126 in 2021 and doubled again in 2022 with 256 drug-related executions. On 13 September 2023, IHRNGO reported a 94% rise in the number of drug-related executions in the year following the start of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in September 2022.

Man executed in Gorgan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); October 17, 2023: Nader Karami, a man sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was executed in Gorgan Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Gorgan Central Prison on 17 October. His identity has been established as 32-year-old Nader Karami who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Nader Karami was arrested with another man around three years ago. His co-defendant was sentenced to a prison term and Nader was sentenced to death as the first defendant.”

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

Unidentified man executed in Ardabil

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); October 16, 2023: State media have reported the execution of an unidentified man for murder in Ardabil Central Prison.

According to Tasnim, a man was executed in Ardabil Central Prison on 15 October. The unidentified man was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Amin Ranjbar, the Deputy Prosecutor of Ardabil province said: “On 28 October 2021, an individual stabbed his father-in-law with 27 consecutive knife stabbings inside a car in an Ardabil alley due to a family feud. He was sentenced to qisas.

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 Zanjan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); October 15, 2023: Ali Asghar Cheraghifar, a man sentenced to death for murder charges, was executed in Zanjan Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Zanjan Central Prison on 14 October. His identity has been established as 39-year-old Ali Asghar Cheraghifar who was sentenced to qisas(retribution-in-kind) for murder.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Ali Asghar Cheraghifar was a taxi driver and was arrested for killing one of his passengers following an argument around three years ago, and sentenced to qisas.”

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

Two executed in Tabriz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); October 14, 2023: Abbas Ali Maghami and Mehdi Shadab, two men sentenced to death for drug-related charges in the same case, were executed in Tabriz Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were executed in Tabriz Central Prison on 11 October. Their identities have been established as Abbas Ali Maghami and Mehdi Shadab (pictured) who were sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court in the same case.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Abbas Ali Maghami and Mehdi Shadab were friends and co-defendants who were arrested around three years ago and sentenced to death. One was a lorry driver and the other was the driver’s assistance.”

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

Source: iranhr.net, Staff, October 14-17, 2023

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