Iran | Executions in Qom, Zahedan, Yasuj, Urmia, Rafsanjan, Saqqez, Dehdasht, Karaj

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 10, 2023: Mehdi Nasiri and Abbas Ketabi were executed for drug-related charges in Qom Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, at least two men were executed in Qom Central Prison on 9 December. Their identities have been established as 41-year-old Mehdi Nasiri from Karaj and 47-year-old Abbas Ketabi from Qom.

Mehdi Nasiri was arrested for carrying 80 kilograms of heroin three years ago and Abbas Ketabi was arrested on the Qom-Arak road around five years ago. They were both sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

There are reports of more people being executed at the prison that day which Iran Human Rights is working to verify.

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.

2 Baluch Men Executed for Drug Charges in Zahedan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 9, 2023: Abdolbaset Gorgij and Abdolaziz Shahlibar were executed for drug-related charges in Zahedan Central Prison.

According to Haal Vsh, two Baluch men were executed in Zahedan Central Prison on 9 December. Their identities have been reported as 33-year-old Abdolbaset Gorgij from Zahedan and 34-year-old Abdolaziz (Haml) Shahlibar from Delgan.

They were both sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court. Abdolbaset was arrested around four years ago.

At the time of writing, their executions have 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 2-5% of Iran’s population. Furthermore, at least 274 Baluch people have been executed for drug-related charges since 2021, 40% of all drug executions in that time period.

Man Executed in Yasuj

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 9, 2023: Sadegh Ajdar, a man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed in Yasuj Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Yasuj Central Prison on 4 December. His identity has been established as Sadegh Ajdar who was sentenced to qisas for murder.

Sadegh was arrested around three years ago.

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.

3 Men Executed for Drug Charges in Urmia

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 8, 2023: Ali Shahinnejad, Solat Tousan and Janali Nadimi were executed for drug-related charges in Urmia Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were executed in Urmia Central Prison on 8 December. Their identities have been established as 39-year-old Ali Shahinnejad, Solat (Hamid) Tousan and Janali Nadimi (Dargahi).

All three men were Urmia and had been sentenced to death for drug-related charges in separate cases. They were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions on 6 December.

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

Two Executed in Sanandaj

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 7, 2023: Khaled Rouhi and Sirus Heidari, two men sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, were executed in Sanandaj Central Prison.

According to Hengaw, two men were executed in Sanandaj Central Prison on 6 December. Their identities have been reported as 60-year-old Khaled Rouhi and Sirus Heidari who were sentenced to qisas for murder. Khaled was on death row for 4 years and Sirus for 12 years.

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

Man Executed in Rafsanjan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 7, 2023: Amir Alikani, a man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed in Rafsanjan Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Rafsanjan Prison on 4 December. His identity has been established as Amir Alikhani 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.

Man Executed for Rape in Saqqez

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 6, 2023: Kamal Elhami, a man sentenced to death for rape, was executed in Saqqez Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Saqqez Central Prison on 6 December. His identity has been established as 43-year-old Kamal Elhami who was arrested for rape charges five years ago.

He was sentenced to death for allegedly raping a conscript soldier.

At the time of writing, his execution has 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.

According to the 2022 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 23 people were executed for rape charges in 2022 compared to 10 in 2021 and 12 in 2020.

Man Executed in Dehdasht

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 6, 2023: Zabihollah Arjmand, a man sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was executed in Dehdasht Prison in Kohlgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Right, a man was executed in Dehdasht Prison on 6 December. His identity has been established as 35-year-old Zabihollah Arjmand who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges.

He said goodbye to his family in his last visit with them the day prior to his execution. According to informed sources Zabihollah was from a very poor family and the drugs found did not belong to him.

4 Men Executed for Drug Charges in Karaj

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 6, 2023: Four men were executed for drug-related charges in Karaj Penitentiary.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were executed in Karaj Penitentiary on 5 December. Their identities have been established as Manouchehr Barzegar and Mojtaba Amiri from Hall 3 who were both from Harsin and sentenced to death for drug-related charges.

HRANA news agency also reported the executions of Sasan Maleki and Mehdi Moradi at the prison that day. They were also on death row for drug-related charges.

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

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, December 5-10, 2023

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Florida | Jury recommends death sentence for Jeffrey Crum in killing of 12-year-old girl

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A Hernando County jury has recommended the death penalty for a 65-year-old man who was found guilty last week of raping and killing 12-year-old Jennifer Odom. Sentencing for Jeffrey Crum was held this week. Crum abducted Odom in 1993 after she stepped off her school bus in Pasco County. Her body was found in a Hernando County orange grove six days later.

Hanging of Osaka Arsonist is Japan’s First Execution Under Takaichi Government

As a majority of the international community has abolished capital punishment. Japan and the U.S. are the only two countries in the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations that put people to death. The execution of Takami Sunao—an arsonist whose 2009 attack in Osaka killed five—on August 21, 2026, was Japan’s first use of capital punishment in just over a year. Over a Decade from Sentencing to Execution Takami Sunao was executed on August 21, 2026 , for a 2009 arson attack at an Osaka pachinko parlor that killed five people. In July 2009, Takami poured gasoline on the floor of a pachinko parlor in Osaka and set it alight, killing 5 customers and staff members and injuring 10 more. While the defense argued that he was in a state of diminished capacity, the Supreme Court finalized his death sentence in February 2016. The execution took place 17 years after the initial crime and 10 and a half years after the death sentence was finalized.

Cartoons about Capital Punishment

More cartoons about capital punishment HERE

Spared execution eight times, oldest inmate in US dies at 101 after 76 years behind bars

Francis Clifford Smith was given his last meal eight times. But after being spared execution each time, he went on to be regarded as the longest-serving prisoner in the US before dying in June at 101 years old. Convicted of murder in 1950 when he was 25, he always maintained his innocence, those who knew him told the BBC. Andrius Banevicius, the public information officer for Connecticut's Department of Correction, recounted how Smith used to feed the birds while in Osborn Prison, earning him the nickname The Birdman of Osborn.

Israel builds execution chamber for Palestinians convicted of murder

In March, the Knesset approved legislation that calls for the execution of Palestinians convicted by a military court of killing Israelis Israeli authorities are preparing a prison wing—replete with an execution chamber—designated specifically for Palestinian prisoners convicted of murder, Israel’s i24NEWS channel reported Tuesday. The move comes after the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) approved legislation in March that calls for the execution of Palestinian prisoners convicted by a military court of murdering Israelis.

Japan executes man convicted of killing five in 2009 Osaka pachinko parlor arson

Japan on Friday announced the execution of a man convicted of killing five people after setting fire to an Osaka pachinko parlor in 2009, the first execution by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi 's government as the country faces growing calls for more transparency and the abolition of capital punishment. The Justice Ministry said Sunao Takami, 58, was hanged to death earlier Friday. Takami in 2009 set fire to the crowded pachinko parlor in Osaka by spreading gasoline and throwing a lit match, engulfing the building, killing five and injuring 10 others, Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said.

Florida executes William Frances Silvia

Florida executed its 13th death row prisoner of the year Tuesday evening amid the state’s aggressive use of the death penalty championed by Governor Ron DeSantis. William Frances Silvia, 61, who was convicted of fatally shooting his estranged wife and injuring his mother-in-law in 2006, was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. after receiving the lethal three-drug injection at Florida State Prison. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Silvia was already strapped to a gurney with an IV in his arm when the curtain to the death chamber went up. He remained relatively motionless with his eyes and mouth open throughout most of the execution while a priest sat at his feet and prayed.

Oklahoma executes Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez

Oklahoma has carried out 1 of 3 executions set for the same day in the United States in another sign of the resurgence of the death penalty in the country. Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 10:13 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. He was put to death by lethal injection for the murder of his common-law wife in 2003 at their Oklahoma City home. He admitted to police he shot her twice during an argument. Cuesta-Rodriguez, 70, did not fight for his life, stunning his attorneys in July when he told the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board that he didn't want clemency. "It's time for me to pay for what I did," he said.

Alabama is trying a death penalty bait-and-switch

For a decade, Alabama death row inmate Jeffrey Lee has been clear that he does not want to be executed by lethal injection . But that is what awaits him on September 17 . He faces that prospect because the state has been enjoined from using nitrogen hypoxia , the alternative execution method he preferred, to put him to death. Having failed to show that its nitrogen hypoxia protocol is constitutionally acceptable, Alabama wants a do-over to force Lee to die by lethal injection as a result of its own failure. It should not get one. Alabama should only be able to put Lee to death if it can fix nitrogen hypoxia’s constitutional defects.

Texas | A Dangerous Man. At 18, Billy Joe Wardlow took a man’s life. Nearly 30 years later, the state still wants his.

Like any place humans gather, death row has a culture. Billy Wardlow says it's different in many ways from general population. One is in how new inmates are treated. "In [general population], the guys around you would try to find some way to exploit you," Wardlow said. "Death row, with a few exceptions, will often extend a hand of friendship to the 'new boot' so they can get on their feet ... Most of us get together and let each other know what we can send to the new guy." One of the cherished myths of those who support the death penalty is that it is reserved for the “worst of the worst,” those beyond redemption. Wardlow typically sends writing materials, food, clothes, and hygiene products. Recently, after receiving some of these items, a new inmate asked Wardlow what he owed him. "I told him to remember how guys helped him when he saw someone else new," Wardlow said. "Pay it forward, as the saying goes." Sending gift...

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