Iran | Executions in Arak, Ahvaz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 6, 2025: Mehdi Khani, a man on death row for rape charges, was executed in Arak Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Arak Central Prison on 6 May 2025. His identity has been established as Mehdi Khani, a 25-year-old man arrested two years ago. He was sentenced to death on rape charges by the Criminal Court.

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 2024 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 22 people were executed for rape charges across 10 prisons. In the first four months of 2025, at least nine people were executed for rape charges.

Execution in Ahvaz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 6, 2025: Ammar Validi, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Ahvaz Sepidar Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Ahvaz Sepidar Prison on 4 May 2025. His identity has been established as 30-year-old Ammar Validi from Ahvaz.

He was arrested on the Ahvaz to Dezeful road for carrying drugs in his car three years ago and 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.

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. In the first four months of 2025, at least 169 people were hanged for drug-related offences.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, May 5-6, 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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