Iran | Executions in Ahvaz, Sanandaj, Qom, Babol, Karaj

Khalil Majedi, a man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed in Ahvaz Sepidar Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Ahvaz Sepidar Prison on 13 December. His identity has been established as 36-year-old Khalil Majedi from Ahvaz.

An informed source told IHRNGO: “Khalil Majedi was arrested for the murder of his fiancé’s brother 3 years ago and sentenced to death. He was on the run for 2 months after but returned at his father’s request and turned himself in. The murder was committed during an altercation and was not premeditated. His fiancé’s brother passed away after 6 days in the hospital.”

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, as the plaintiffs, the victim’s family are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.

Man Executed in Sanandaj

Davod Khademi, a man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed in Sanandaj Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Sanandaj Central Prison on 13 December. His identity has been established as 30-year-old Davod Khademi from the village of Pileh in Marivan.

Informed sources told IHRNGO that Davod was arrested for killing a gold seller and burning his body along with another person. He was sentenced to qisas for murder.

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

Man Executed in Qom

Abolfazl Abdolmaleki was executed for drug-related charges in Qom Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Qom Central Prison on 12 December. His identity has been established as 27-year-old Abolfazl Abdolmaleki from Qom. He was arrested for drug-related charges 2 years ago and was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

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

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 10-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.

Probable Child Offender Hamid Bakhshayesh Executed in Karaj After 15 Years on Death Row

Hamid Bakshayesh was executed for murder charges in Ghezelhesar Prison. There is a high possibility that he was a child offender.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, at least 1 man was executed in Ghezelhesar Prison on 13 December. His identity has been established as Hamid Bakhshayesh who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Hamid was previously transferred to solitary confinement on 27 November but had managed to obtain an extension in his case. He was returned to solitary in preparation for his execution on 12 December and executed the next day.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Hamid Bakhshayesh was arrested with his two brothers in 2007/2008 (1387) when he was just 16 years old and taken to Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht) Prison. When Rajai Shahr was closed down, he was transferred to Ghezelhesar Prison and finally executed him after 15 years.”

Iran Human Rights has not been able to verify his age through document evidence at the time of writing. Updates will be published once his juvenile offender status has been confirmed.

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

Man Executed in Babol

State media have reported the execution of an unnamed man for the murder of a former representative to the Supreme Leader in Babol Prison.

According to ISNA, a man was executed in Babol Prison on 13 December. The unnamed man was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

The defendant was accused of killing Abbasali Soleimani, a former Khamenei representative and member of the Assembly of Experts in a Babolsar bank on 26 April 2023.

5 Men Executed in Karaj; 7 Total Executions

5 men were executed in Karaj Penitentiary on Tuesday, bringing the number of executions to 7 that day.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, five men were executed in Karaj Penitentiary on 12 December. 3 of the men were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, one for drug-related charges and one for moharebeh (enmity against god).

The man executed for moharebeh charges has been identified as Milad Bideh from Gohardasht in Karaj whose execution was reported by state media.

An informed source told IHRNGO: “Milad was arrested with his brother Milad for shooting a man named Massoud [surname withheld by IHRNGO]. Both of them were apprehended after a few hours but Meysam was shot dead by security forces while escaping. Massoud was an informant collaborating with security institutions.”

The man executed for drug-related charges has been identified as 34-year-old Khalil Haji Abadi from Kangavar. He was arrested for drug-related charges 3 years ago and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

The 3 men executed for murder charges have not been identified at the time of writing.

Amin Zakeri and Hamid Esmaili were also executed at the prison that day, bringing the total number of executions to 7 that day.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, December 15, 2023

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