Iran | Executions in Hamedan, Isfahan, Borazjan, Yasuj, Ahaz, Birjand

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 23, 2025: Saeed Kashani, a man on death row for murder, was executed in Hamedan Central Prison. Another man named Bakhtiar Lotfi was returned to his cell after obtaining a one-month extension in his case.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Hamedan Central Prison on 21 May 2025. His identity has been established as Saeed Kashani who was arrested four years ago and sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Saeed was transferred for execution with another death row prisoner named Bakhtiar Lotfi who was returned to his cell after obtaining a one-month extension in his case.

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.

Crucially, while an indicative amount is set by the Judiciary every year, there is no legal limit to how much can be demanded by families of the victims. IHRNGO has recorded many cases where defendants are executed because they cannot afford to pay the blood money. Should the victim’s family choose execution, they are not only encouraged to attend, but also to physically carry out the execution themselves.

According to IHRNGO’s 2024 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 419 people including a juvenile offender and 19 women, were executed for murder charges, the highest number of qisas executions since 2010. Only 12% of the recorded qisas executions were announced by official sources. In 2024, Iran Human Rights also recorded 649 cases of families choosing diya or forgiveness instead of qisas executions.

In the first four months of 2025, at least 153 people were executed for murder charges in Iran, per IHRNGO data.

Execution in Isfahan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 23, 2025: Arman Khanbeigi, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Isfahan Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Isfahan (Dastgerd) Central Prison on 21 May 2025. His identity has been established as Arman Khanbeigi, a 29-year-old man from Marand.

He was arrested three years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

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.

Execution in Borazjan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 23, 2025: Ahmad Baniasadi, a man on death row for murder, was executed in Borazjan Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Borazjan Prison on 17 May 2025. His identity has been established as Ahmad Baniasadi, a Borazjan native.

He was arrested six years ago and sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

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

Execution in Yasuj

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 23, 2025: Nader Mostafavi, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Yasuj Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Yasuj Central Prison on 21 May 2025. His identity has been established as Nader Mostafavi, a 42-year-old father of two.

He was arrested three years ago and sentenced to death for carrying 25 kilograms of shisheh (methamphetamine).

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

Execution in Havaz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 23, 2025: Hashem Mirzaei, an Ahvazi Arab 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 18 May 2025. His identity has been established as Hashem Mirazei, a 29-year old Arab man from Ahvaz.

He was arrested for drug-related offences on the Ahvaz-Andimeshk road and sentenced to death.

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

Group Hanging of 3 Drug Co-Defendants in Birjand

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 22, 2025: Naser Dahar, Ghanbar Ghafari and Noureddin Mohammadzadeh, three co-defendants in a joint drug case, were executed in Birjand Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were hanged in Birjand Central Prison on 21 May 2025. Their identities have been established as Naser Dahar, Ghanbar Ghafari and Noureddin Mohammadzadeh, three Miandoab natives.

They were arrested in a joint case three years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

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

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, May 22-23, 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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