Iran | Executions in Karaj, Malayer, Nahavand, Qom, Ahvaz, Qazvin

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 5, 2025: According to newly obtained information, Hamid Fazeli, Emad Ahmadi, Asghar Vatanparast and three unidentified men were hanged for murder, drug-related and rape charges in Ghezelhesar Prison. With Mohsen Langarneshin’s previously reported execution, seven people were executed in the group hanging at the prison that day.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, six men including two Afghan nationals were hanged in Ghezelhesar Prison on 30 April 2025. Three of the men were on death row for drug-related offences. One of them has been identified as Asghar Vatanparast. The identities of the other two men, one of whom was an Afghan national, have not been established at the time of writing.

Two of the men were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder. Their identities have been established as Hamid Fazeli and 27-year-old Emad Ahmadi.

The sixth man who was also an Afghan national, has not been identified at the time writing. He was on death row for rape charges.

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

With the previously reported execution of Mohsen Langarneshin, seven people were executed in the group hanging at the prison that day.

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, with 31% being Baluch minorities.

Execution in Malayer

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 5, 2025: Sajad Emkani, a man on death row for murder, was executed in Malayer Prison.

According to HRANA news agency, a man was hanged in Malayer Prison, Hamedan province, on 21 April 2025. His identity has been reported as Sajad Emkani who was 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.

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.

Execution in Nahavand

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 5, 2025: Mohammad Hossein Zamani, a man on death row for murder, was executed in Nahavand Prison.

According to HRANA news agency, a man was hanged in Nahavand Prison, Hamedan province, on 23 April 2025. His identity has been reported as Mohammad Hossein Zamani, 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 Qom

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 5, 2025: Abolfazl Shahsavari, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Qom Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Qom Central Prison on 20 April 2025. His identity has been established as 31-year-old Abolfazl Shahsavari.

He was arrested for drug-related offences 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.

Execution in Ahvaz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 4, 2025: Moslem Darvishipour and Mohammad Salamat were hanged for murder and drug-related offences in Ahvaz Sepidar Prison. Mohammad Nabi Zirkari was previously reported to have been executed at the prison that day.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were hanged in Ahvaz Sepidar Prison on 30 April 2025. Their identities have been established as 25-year-old Moslem Darvishipour from Masjed Soleiman and 29-year-old Mohammad Salamat from Ahvaz.

Moslem was arrested for murder four years ago and sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind), and Mohammad Salmaat was arrested more than seven years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

IHRNGO previously reported the execution of Mohammad Nabi Zirkari, bringing the total number of executions at the prison to three that day.

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

Execution in Qazvin

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 4, 2025: Saber Eliasi, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Qazvin Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Qazvin Central Prison on 4 May 2025. His identity has been established as 33-year-old Saber Eliasi from Langroud.

He was arrested for drug-related offences two 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.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, May 4-5, 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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