Execution of Two Prisoners in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, on Drug-Related Charges

On December 22, two prisoners convicted of drug-related offenses were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

The Iran Human Rights Organization has identified one of the prisoners as Arman Samadi, approximately 30 years old, whose conviction dates back four years. HRANA identified the second prisoner as Ashkan Parseh, a 29-year-old resident of Aligudarz.

Both individuals were arrested on charges related to drug offenses and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly confirmed these executions.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Three Prisoners, Including a Woman, Executed in Sari Prison

The death sentences of three prisoners, including a woman, previously convicted in separate cases of drug-related charges and murder, were carried out in Sari Prison.

According the Iran Human Rights Organization, the executions took place at dawn on Tuesday, December 17. The identities of the executed prisoners have been reported as Effat Hamedi, approximately 35 years old and a mother of one, Yousef Sattari, 38, a resident of Sari, and Manoochehr Hedayati, 47, a resident of Babol.

A source close to the matter stated: “Ms. Hamedi was arrested four years ago on charges of murdering her husband and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary. Sattari was arrested three years ago for murdering a friend over financial disputes and was also sentenced to death. Additionally, Hedayati had been detained for three years on drug-related charges and was sentenced to death by the judiciary.”

Previously, HRANA had reported the execution of another prisoner, Jamal Asgarabadi, on the same day in the same prison.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant officials.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

Prisoner Executed in Sari Prison for Drug-Related Charges

The death sentence of a prisoner convicted on drug-related charges was carried out at dawn on Tuesday, December 17, in Sari Prison.

HRANA has identified the individual as Jamal Asgarabadi, 42, a resident of Sharifabad, Sari.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Asgarabadi had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly announced the execution.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Political Detainee Zahra Karami Awaits Trial After Nearly 40 Days in Evin Prison

Zahra Karami, a political detainee, has been held in Evin Prison for nearly 40 days, with no clear resolution to her case. Her charges remain under review by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Karami was arrested by security forces and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on November 12, 2024. She faces multiple charges, including “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader,” “propaganda against the regime,” “disturbing public opinion,” and “supporting Israeli positions on social media.”

A source close to Karami’s family told HRANA: “About 20 days ago, Zahra was summoned to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. However, the session did not proceed to trial. Instead, the indictment was read aloud, and she was sent back to Evin Prison.”

Zahra Karami continues to face legal uncertainty, with no trial held nearly six weeks after her detention.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Update on Student Ehsan Faridi’s Status in Tabriz Prison

Ehsan Faridi, a student at Tabriz Technical and Vocational College, remains in limbo in Tabriz Prison nearly six months after his arrest.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Faridi has been held in limbo for about six months in Tabriz Prison. On Wednesday, December 11, his second court session was held at the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz via video conference, during which he defended himself against the charges.”

The first court session for Mr. Faridi was held on August 3, also via video conference. Additionally, in September, a separate hearing for another part of his case was held at the Tabriz Criminal Court Branch 2.

Ehsan Faridi was arrested on June 18, 2024, after reporting to the Tabriz Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to Tabriz Prison.

Faridi, a 21-year-old engineering student specializing in manufacturing and production, had previously been arrested on March 8, transferred to Tabriz Prison, and later released on bail after ten days.

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Prolonged Detention of Political Detainee Morteza Khaki Despite Bail Provision

Morteza Khaki, a resident of Famenin County, Hamedan Province, remains in limbo in Hamedan Prison, 25 days after his arrest.

A source close to his family confirmed: “Mr. Khaki, facing charges including insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, insulting the Supreme Leader, and insulting religious sanctities, has been detained for 25 days and remains in limbo in Hamedan Prison. Although a bail of one billion tomans was set and provided by his family, officials have refused to accept it, citing baseless excuses.”

HRANA has learned that Mr. Khaki’s bank account and mobile phone line have been frozen since October, and his Instagram account remains blocked following his arrest.

Morteza Khaki, 48 years old, married, and a father of two, was arrested on Monday, November 25, after reporting to the Ministry of Intelligence Office in Kabudarahang. He was transferred to Hamedan Prison three days later.

Two Prisoners Executed in Mahabad Prison

At dawn on Wednesday, December 18, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted in separate cases of murder were carried out in Mahabad Prison.

Kurdpa has identified the prisoners as “Rahim Barin and Jamal Naboureh, residents of Mahabad.”

The report states that Mr. Barin was arrested in 2005 on charges of killing a government official and was later sentenced to death by the judiciary. Mr. Naboureh was arrested about two years ago on murder charges and subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or other relevant institutions.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

Prisoner Executed in Hamedan Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

Yesterday, December 18, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on charges related to drug-related crimes was executed in Hamedan Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as Mohammad Shams, a 36-year-old man from Asadabad, Hamedan. He had been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly announced the execution.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Two Prisoners Executed in Rudbar Prison

The death sentences of two prisoners, previously convicted of murder in separate cases, were carried out in Rudbar Prison, Gilan province.

According to HRANA, quoting the Iran Human Rights Organization, the executed individuals were identified as Ali Akbar Gharib Sardoui and Hamed Basirat, both residents of Rudbar.

Reports state that Ali Akbar Gharib Sardoui was arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by the judiciary. His execution took place at dawn on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Rudbar Prison.

Similarly, the execution of Hamed Basirat was carried out at dawn on Monday, December 9, 2024. He had also been arrested in a separate murder case and sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, neither prison authorities nor relevant officials have publicly announced these executions. In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

Two Residents of Mahabad Arrested by Security Forces

On December 17, Salar Shams Borhan and Abdollah Ghoveh, residents of Mahabad, were arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location, according to Kurdpa.

The arrests reportedly took place at their private residences without the presentation of judicial warrants.

These detentions come amid a wave of arrests in Mahabad, with several other residents also taken into custody in recent days.

As of now, no information has been released about the reasons for their arrests, their current whereabouts, or any charges filed against them.