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Iran | Executions in Zahedan, Birjand

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 24 June 2026: Issa Rahmani, a Baluch man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Zahedan Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Zahedan Central Prison on 21 June 2026. His identity has been established as Issa Rahmani, a 38-year-old Baluch man from Saravan.

He was arrested almost four years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

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

IHRNGO previously reported the execution of Nematollah Barahouyi, bringing the total number of executions to two at the prison that day.

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2025 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 795 people were executed for drug-related charges, of which only 0.18% were announced by official sources. 13% of all drug-related executions in 2025 were Baluch minorities while they represent 2-6% of Iran’s population.

In December 2025, IHRNGO published a report titled “A Village of Graves: Widespread and Systematic Drug Executions in Iran,” which provides an overview of drug laws and documents the systematic violation of due process and fair trial rights in drug cases.

Execution in Birjand


Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 24 June 2026: Ali Asghar Aminipour, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was secretly executed in Birjand Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Birjand Central Prison on 14 June 2026. His identity has been established as Ali Asghar Aminipour, a 48-year-old father of three who was from Sistan and Baluchistan and resided in Gorgan.

He was arrested four years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court. His execution was carried out without prior notice, depriving him of the last family visit.

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

IHRNGO previously reported the execution of Mohammad Amin Narouyi, bringing the total number of executions to two at the prison that day.

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2025 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 795 people were executed for drug-related charges, of which only 0.18% were announced by official sources. 13% of all drug-related executions in 2025 were Baluch minorities while they represent 2-6% of Iran’s population.

In December 2025, IHRNGO published a report titled “A Village of Graves: Widespread and Systematic Drug Executions in Iran,” which provides an overview of drug laws and documents the systematic violation of due process and fair trial rights in drug cases.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, June 24, 2026




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