Death Penalty News

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); November 10, 2025: Five men including four Kurdish minorities named Mohammadreza Badavi, Reza Molayi, Mehdi Hassani, Shamseddin (Shahab) Abbasi Kay and Havari Jahanara were executed for drug-related offences in Urmia Central Prison.  Three of the men were sentenced to death based on elme qazi (knowledge of the judge), a practice that violates basic due process by allowing a judge’s personal belief to replace evidence.

Iran Human Rights (IHR); May 4, 2021: IHR's Annual Report of the Death Penalty in Iran sets out the procedures in the issuance of death sentences by Iran’s judicial system. ➤ Read the full report (pdf) Access to lawyer Article 35 of the Iranian Constitution grants access to lawyers. The Criminal Procedure Code drafted in 2013 and the 2015 amendments address, among others, a suspect’s right to access a lawyer in the pre-trial phase.[1] Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code states: “When a suspect is arrested, he or she can request the presence of a lawyer. The lawyer, observing the secret nature of the investigation and the negotiations between the parties, should meet with the suspect. At the end of the meeting, which should not last more than one hour, the lawyer may submit his or her written notes to be included in the case file.” However, a note added in the final draft places limitations on the suspect’s rights to choose a lawyer. The amended note says: “In cases of crimes ...