Iran | Executions in Rasht, Ahvaz, Qazvin, Karaj, Dezful, Zanjan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 30, 2025: Aziz Sedaghat, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Rasht Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged Rasht (Lakan) Central Prison on 27 May 2025. His identity has been established as Aziz Ssedaghat, a 40-year-old man from Gorgan.

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 Ahvaz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 30, 2025: Taleb Ahmadpour, an Ahvaz 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 Ahvaz Sepidar Prison on 28 May 2025. His identity has been established as Taleb Ahmadpour, a 28-year-old Ahvaz Arab cattle farmer.

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.

Executions in Qazvin

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 30, 2025: Khodamorad Keifari, a Kurdish minority, and Alimorad Ranjbaran were executed for drug-related and murder charges in Qazvin Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were hanged in Qazvin (Choobindar) Central Prison on 28 May 2025. Their identities have been established as 29-year-old Alimorad Ranjbaran (photo) from Qazvin and Khodayar Keifari, a Kurdish man from Sahneh.

Alimorad was arrested four years ago and sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder. Khodamorad was also arrested four 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.

Execution in Karaj

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 29, 2025: Hamed Arjangi, a man on death row for murder, was executed in Karaj Penitentiary. With the two previously reported hangings, the number of executions at the prison has risen to three that day.

At least 500 people have been executed in Iran in 2025.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Karaj Penitentiary (Central Prison) on 27 May 2025. His identity has been established as 30-year-old Hamed Arjangi who was arrested four years ago and sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

With the previously reported executions of Hossein Yari and Rahim Amiri, the number of executions at the prison has risen to three that day.

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 Dezful

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 29, 2025: Reza Abdoli, a man on death row for murder, was executed in Dezful Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Dezful Prison on 26 May 2025. His identity has been established as 37-year-old Reza Abdoli from Dezful. He was arrested for the murder of his friend during a fight five 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 Zanjan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 29, 2025: Homayoun Amjadbeigi, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Zanjan Central Prison. A murder death row prisoner was returned to his cell after obtaining an extension in his case.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Zanjan Central Prison on 24 May 2025. His identity has been established as Homayoun Amjadbeigi who was arrested three years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

He was transferred to the gallows with another unidentified man who was returned to his cell after obtaining a last minute extension in his case.

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

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, May 29-30, 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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