Iran | Executions in Ahar, Zanjan, Shiraz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); July 3, 2025: Hossein Ali Abedi, a man on death row for rape, was executed in Ahar Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged for rape charges in Ahar Prison, Eastern Azerbaijan province, on 1 July 2025. His identity has been established as 25-year-old Hossein Ali Abedi who was sentenced to death on rape charges.

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. Iran is one of the few countries in the world to issue the death penalty for rape charges. 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 six months of 2025, at least 19 people were executed for rape charges.

Execution in Zanjan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); July 4, 2025: Jabar Pourmohammadi Maghani, a man on death row for drug-related charges, was executed in Zanjan Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Zanjan Central Prison on 2 July 2025. His identity has been established as 40-year-old Jabar Pourmohammadi Maghani.

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 six months of 2025, at least 293 people were executed for drug-related offences.

Executions in Shiraz

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); July 1, 2025: Mozafar Najari and Ahmadreza Didban, two men on death row for separate drug-related cases, were executed in Shiraz Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were hanged in Shiraz (Adel Abad) Central Prison on 30 June 2025. Their identities have been established as Mozafar Najari from Shiraz and Ahmadreza Didban, from the Bakhtiari tribe in Shiraz.

Mozafar was arrested three years ago and Ahmadreza, around five years ago. They were sentenced to death on drug-related charges in separate cases.

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

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, July 1-3, 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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