Execution of Woman for Drug Offenses in Kerman Prison

On November 15, 2023, a female inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was executed at Kerman Prison.

The executed inmate is identified as Zarkhatoon Mazar-Zahi, approximately 46 years old, from Saravan, married, and a mother of one child. Mazar-Zahi was apprehended six years ago at a police checkpoint in Kerman Province on suspicion of drug smuggling while en route to Shiraz.
On March 15, 2022, the Kerman Revolutionary Court handed down a death sentence, a verdict subsequently affirmed by the Supreme Court. As of the current writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on this execution.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Confirmation of Death Sentence for Protester Milad Zohrehvand

Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, has reported the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the death sentence for Milad Zohrehvand, an individual arrested in connection with the 2022 nationwide protests.

Zohrehvand, approximately 20 years old, has been convicted of the killing of Ali Nazari, an IRGC intelligence officer in Malayer. In June of this year, Zohrehvand’s case was forwarded to the Supreme Court for confirmation.

In October-November 2022, IRGC officials released a statement stating that Nazari was killed during a chase. The statement identified nine suspects in Ali Nazari’s murder, with five already in custody and four others on the brink of being identified and apprehended.

Three Sunni Prisoners Executed in Zahedan

The chief of Justice of Sistan and Baluchestan Province announced on November 13 the execution of three Sunni prisoners in Zahedan.

The individuals, Mohammad-Karim Barakzai Akson (28), Mohammad Brahui Anjomani (28), and Edris Bilrani (31), were convicted of “spreading corruption on earth” and engaging in what the Zahedan Revolutionary Court labeled as “terrorist acts.”

The chief justice disclosed that the Supreme Court had upheld their death sentences after dismissing their appeals twice on grounds of “ineligibility.”

The trio had been detained by security forces in August-September 2020 on charges of being involved with anti-regime groups and were held in Zahedan Prison. After spending 18 months in detention, they were sentenced to 15 years for “membership in a rebellious group” and received the death penalty for “spreading corruption on earth through involvement in terrorist acts.”

According to the chief justice, the verdict implicated the individuals in various actions, including “destruction of public property, smuggling bomb-making equipment, and attempting to explode a police patrol vehicle, resulting in injuries to several police officers.”

Execution of Three Inmates in Kashan and Tabriz

On November 8, officials at Kashan Prison carried out the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes, according to the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The individuals executed have been identified as Khodadad Rahimi, 40, and Saber Alikhani, 31. Rahimi and Alikhani received their death sentences three and two years ago, respectively.

Additionally, Rokna reported the recent execution of an inmate for murder in Tabriz Prison last week. The report did not disclose the identity of the individual. In July-August 2019, he committed murder by fatally stabbing someone during a group brawl.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Two Inmates Executed in Bandar Abbas

On November 8, 2023, two individuals convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Bandar Abbas Prison, Hormozgan province, according to Hamshahri Online.

The identities of the executed inmates were not disclosed. Both had received the death penalty for offenses related to drug activities.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

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Execution of Nine Inmates in Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

On November 8, 2023, Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison officials carried out the execution of nine inmates.

Among these inmates, three were convicted of drug offenses, with two of them identified as Bahman Fathollah Zadeh and Rasoul Teymouri by HRANA.
Five individuals were convicted of murder and one was convicted of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) via armed robbery.” HRANA is actively working on identifying these individuals to shed light on their cases.

Just a day earlier, HRANA reported that ten inmates had been relocated to solitary confinement, a move that signaled their imminent execution.

As of the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the process.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Ten Death-Row Inmates Face Imminent Execution at Qezel Hesar Prison

On November 7, ten death-row inmates at Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison were moved to solitary confinement, signaling their impending execution.

Among these individuals, four have been convicted of drug-related offenses, five for murder, and one for Moharebeh through armed robbery. HRANA is diligently working on identifying these individuals and monitoring the situation as it unfolds.

Sunni Prisoner Ghasem Abasteh Executed in Qezel Hesar, Karaj

On November 5, 2023, Ghasem Abasteh, a Sunni prisoner who had spent 13 years and 9 months behind bars, was executed in Qezel Hesar, Karaj.

Abasteh’s ordeal through the legal system began in January-February 2010 when he was initially arrested. After enduring 14 months of uncertainty in Evin and Urmia Prisons, he found himself in Rajai Shahr Prison, located in Karaj. This year, in August, he was transferred to Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison.

Throughout his ordeal, Abasteh faced multiple charges, including the serious accusation of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) due to his alleged sympathies with Salafi Groups, a religious movement within Sunni Islam, which he consistently denied.

In February-March 2016, he and six other Sunni prisoners received a death sentence from Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, this verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court, leading to the case being transferred to Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Judge Salavati, presiding over this court, handed down the death sentence to these six individuals again on June 17 and 18, 2019. This time, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Ghasem Abasteh, along with Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Farhad Salimi, Khosro Besharat, Ayoub Karimi, and Davoud Abdollahi.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Four Inmates Executed in Isfahan Prison

On Thursday, November 2, 2023, Isfahan Prison officials carried out the execution of four inmates, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Among the hanged inmates, Ebrahim Narui (Narooie), aged 42 and hailing from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, was identified. Narui had been sentenced to death for drug offenses by the Naeen Revolutionary Court. The other three inmates were residents of Tehran, Rasht, and Isfahan.

As of the time of this report, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided information regarding these executions.
According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Execution of Maryam Forough-Manesh in Yasuj Prison

On November 1, Maryam Forough-Manesh, an inmate, met her unfortunate end through execution in Yasuj Prison. She had previously been convicted of murder.

As of the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided any reports or coverage on these executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.