According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Qom Central Prison on 30 April. His identity has been established as Mousa Fazeli who was sentenced to qisas for murder.
An informed source told IHRNGO: “Mousa Fazeli was from Shahriar and was arrested for murder committed during a robbery 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.
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.
In 2023, at least 282 people including two juvenile offenders and 15 women, were executed for murder charges, the second highest number of qisas executions since 2010. Only 20% of the recorded qisas executions were announced by official sources. In 2023, Iran Human Rights also recorded 857 cases of families choosing diya or forgiveness instead of qisas executions.
Execution in Ardabil
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 30, 2024: Faramarz Moradi, a man on death row for drug-related charges, was executed in Ardabil Central Prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Ardabil Central Prison on 30 April. His identity has been established as 32-year-old Faramarz Moradi from Salmas who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges.
An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Faramarz Moradi was arrested for carrying drugs on the Ardabil motorway around four years ago.”
At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2023 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 471 people were executed for drug-related charges, an 84% increase compared to 2022 (256) and about 18 times the average of drug-related executions in 2018-2020.
On 10 April 2024, 80+ Iranian and international organisations and groups called for joint action to stop drug-related executions, urging UNODC to make “any cooperation with the Islamic Republic contingent on a complete halt on drug-related executions.”
Execution in Mashhad
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 30, 2024: Alireza Sargolzayi, a Baluch man on death row for drug-related charges, was executed in Mashhad Central Prison.
According to Haalvsh, a Baluch man was executed in Mashhad Central Prison (Vakil Abad) on 30 April. His identity has been reported as 25-year-old Alireza Sargolzayi from Zahedan who sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.
Alireza was arrested for being in possession of the raw materials for the production of narcotics around three years ago.
At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Execution in Kahnuj
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 30, 2024: Mehdi Bameri, a Baluch man on death row for murder, was executed in Kahnuj Prison.
According to Hengaw, a Baluch man was executed in Kahnuj Prison on 29 April. His identity has been reported as 24-year-old Mehdi Bameri (Miraki) from the village of Chah Ahmad. He was was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.
His last visit with his family took place the day prior to his execution.
At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Three executions in Ghaen
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 30, 2024: Mohsen Karami, Mr Barahouyi and an unidentified man, all Baluch minorities on death row for drug-related charges, were secretly executed in Ghaen Prison.
According to Haalvsh, three Baluch men were secretly executed in Ghaen Prison in South Khorasan province on 28 April. Their identities have been reported as 27-year-old Mohsen Karami, a man only identified as Mr Barahouyi and a third unidentified man from Zahedan who were sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.
An informed source was quoted: “Mohsen was arrested for drug charges in Ghaen around five years ago and sentenced to death by the Ghaen Revolutionary Court. He was transferred for execution with two other Baluch men. They were executed without their families being notified.”
At the time of writing, none of their executions have been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Three executions in Shiraz
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 29, 2024: Hossein Tavana Kodiani, Taleb Akbari and Reza Masrour were executed for murder charges in Shiraz Central Prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were executed in Shiraz Central Prison (Adel Abad) on 21 April. Their identities have been established as 49-year-old Hossein Tavana Kodiani, 43-year-old Taleb Akbari and 43-year-old Reza Masrour. They were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder in separate cases.
An informed source told IHRNGO: “Hossein was arrested for a murder during a fight four years ago. He was transferred for execution from Ward 10. Taleb was also arrested for a murder during a fight three years ago and was transferred to the gallows from Ward 4. Reza Masrour was a father of two who was transferred from Ward 10. He was a farmer who’d been accused of committing murder during a fight over farm land.”
At the time of writing, none of their executions have been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Two executions in Bandarabbas
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 29, 2024: Hojat Shamskhani and Rashed Baluchi were executed for drug-related and murder charges in Bandarabbas Central Prison. Rashed Baluchi was executed despite lacking criminal responsibility due to acute mental condition.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men including a Baluch minority were executed in Bandarabbas Central Prison on 28 April. Their idnetities have been established as Rashed Baluchi, a 35-year-old Baluch man from Saravan and 35-year-old Hojat Shamskhani. Rashed was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder and Hojat was sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.
An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Rashed Baluchi was arrested for murder around six years ago and Hojat Shamskhani was arrested for drug charges around three years ago.”
According to Haalvsh which first reported news of Rashed’s execution: “Rashed got into an argument with a retired IRGC member who worked as a taxi driver on Kish island. Rashed committed murder after he had insulted him and got into a fight. This is while he had a red card for his mental status and had no prior motive for the murder. However, the court ignored his medical history and sentenced him to death.”
A red card is a certificate issued to those who are deemed mentally unfit to serve their mandatory military service in Iran.
Article 149 of Chapter Two of the Islamic Penal Code (2013) which relates to the lack of criminal responsibility states: “If the perpetrator has a mental disorder at the time of committing the crime that they lack willpower or judgement, they are considered insane and are not criminally responsible.”
While obtaining document evidence of medical diagnosis are difficult due to a lack of transparency, Iran Human Rights has reported many cases of people suffering from mental disorders being executed throughout the years.
In carrying out such executions, the Islamic Republic of Iran is breaching both its own laws and its international obligations. A resolution adopted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged States “not to impose the death penalty on a person suffering from any form of mental disorder or to execute any such person.”
Three executions in Tabriz
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 28, 2024: Sohrab Hokmabad, Amir Moharami and Davoud Namiari were executed for drug-related charges in Tabriz Central Prison. Two other prisoners were returned to their cells.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were executed in Tabriz Central Prison on 27 April. Their identities have been established as Sohrab Hokmabad, 36-year-old Amir Moharami and 33-year-old Davoud Namiari who were sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.
An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Sohrab Hokmabad and Davoud Namiari were arrested for drug charges three years ago and Amir Moharami was arrested two years ago.”
Sohrab, Davoud and Amir were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions in a group of five on 25 April. The woman and one of the men were returned to their cells for unknown reasons.
At the time of writing, none of their executions have been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Man executed in Arak
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 28, 2024: Iraj Sanambari, a man on death row for drug-related charges, was executed in Arak Central Prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Arak Central Prison on 27 April. His identity has been established as 37-year-old Iraj Sanambari who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges.
An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Iraj Sanambari was arrested for drug offences around three years ago and sentenced to death.”
At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials
Execution in Karaj
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 28, 2024: Ali Movahedi, a man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed in Karaj Penitentiary.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Karaj Penitentiary (Karaj Central Prison) on 18 April. His identity has been established as Ali Movahedi who was sentenced to qisas for murder.
An informed source told IHRNGO: “Ali Movahedi was transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for his execution a day prior (17 April) to his execution. He was arrested for murder charges eight years ago.”
At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, April 30-28, 2024
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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
— Oscar Wilde
