Iran | Executions in Ahvaz, Mashhad

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 1, 2025: Ali Kabi and Mohammad Nabi Zirkari, a Baluch man, were executed for murder and drug-related charges in Ahvaz Sepidar Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Ahvaz Sepidar prison on 28 April 2025. His identity has been established as 25-year-old Ali Kabi from Shushtar. He was arrested four years ago and sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Another man was also hanged at the prison on 30 April. His identity has been established as Mohammad Nabi Zirkari, a 53-year-old Baluch father of seven from Mirjaveh. He was arrested eight years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

At the time of writing, neither of their executions have been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2024 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 503 people were executed for drug-related charges, of which only under 3% were announced by official sources. 17% of all drug-related executions in 2024 were Baluch minorities while they represent 2-6% of Iran’s population.

Executions in Mashhad

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 1, 2025: Javid Galehbacheh, a Baluch man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Mashhad Central Prison. With the three previously reported executions, four Baluch men were hanged at the prison that day.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Mashhad (Vakil Abad) Central Prison on 30 April 2025. His identity has been established as Javid Galehbacheh, a 34-year-old Baluch man who lived in Zahedan.

He was arrested for drug-related offences eight years ago and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

The executions of three other Baluch men named Abdolghafar Barahouyi, Parviz Dastkaleh and Abdolsamad Gorgij was reported yesterday, bringing the total number of executions to four at the prison that day.

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

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, April 30, May 1, 2025

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde

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