Execution in Birjand for Drug Offenses

December 27, Birjand – Haal Vsh reports that Esmaeil Ghader Magham (Brahui), a 32-year-old death-row prisoner convicted of drug offenses, was executed in Birjand Prison, South Khorasan province.

Ghader Magham, originally from Zahedan and a resident of Birjand, was arrested for drug-related crimes four years ago in Nehbandan. He was subsequently sentenced to death by the Birjand Revolutionary Court.

Despite the customary practice of allowing a final family visitation, prison officials executed Ghader Magham without providing him with this opportunity, raising concerns about the adherence to humane practices in the execution process.

At the time of 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. 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 Birjand for Drug-Related Offenses

On December 3, 2023, the Birjand Prison in South Khorasan province carried out the execution of four individuals convicted of drug-related crimes, as reported by Haal Vsh.

The executed prisoners were identified as Mohammad Naeimi Far (Brahui), 44 years old, Ahmad Shahoo-Zahi, 40 years old, Maziar Narooie (Narui), 31 years old, and Hamid Sarani, 27 years old.

The first three inmates had received death sentences three, four, and five years ago, respectively, while Sarani was sentenced to death 14 months ago by the Birjand Revolutionary Court.

Tragically, these individuals were denied the opportunity for a final visit with their families before the execution.

As of the current writing, there is no official confirmation or coverage of these executions from domestic media outlets or official sources within the country. The absence of verified information raises concerns regarding the transparency and accountability of the execution 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.

Seven Executions Carry out Across Various Prisons in Iran

In recent days, seven inmates, including a woman, met their fate through executions carried out in Tabriz, Shiraz, Qom, Birjand, and Zahedan Prisons.

According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, on Tuesday, September 5, Ali Abbas Najari (Najjari), aged 37, was executed in Shiraz’s Adelabad Prison. He had been convicted of murder three years ago.

The Rokna News Agency also reported the execution of an inmate, identified only by his first name, Saeed, aged 34, in Tabriz Prison. He was found guilty of taking a life during a group altercation four years ago.

On Friday, September 8, a female inmate, who had been convicted of murder, was executed in Qom Prison, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

Furthermore, Haal Vsh reported the execution of Saeed Sanjarani, aged 23, who had been convicted of drug-related crimes in Birjand Prison on September 10. Additionally, three inmates, one of whom was identified as Mohammad Narui (Narooie), aged 27, were executed in Zahedan Prison on September 9. Narui had been convicted of murder three years ago, while the other two were found guilty of murder in a joint case seven years ago.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Two Prisoners Executed for Drug Crimes in Arak and Birjand

On August 1, 2023, in Arak Prison, Ruhollah Azizi, aged 40, was executed after being convicted of drug-related crimes, as reported by Rasank News.

Haal Vsh also reported the execution of an inmate for drug offenses in Birjand Prison on July 31. He has been identified as Rahim Ghiljaei, 46, married, the father of one child. He had been sentenced to death two years prior, and his execution occurred without prior notice to his family, leaving them deprived of a final visitation.

These executions have thrust the issue of capital punishment for drug-related offenses into the spotlight. In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran recorded 457 reports concerning the death penalty. Approximately 43% of these executions were linked to drug-related charges.

 

Five Inmates Executed in Zahedan and Birjand

On July 31, 2023, Birjand Prison in South Khorasan province witnessed the execution of an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes, according to Rasank News.

The inmate was identified as Farhad Badroozeh, a married individual hailing from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, who had been sentenced to death six years ago. Shockingly, the execution occurred without any prior notice to his family, depriving him of a final visitation.

On the same day, Haal Vsh reported the execution of four more inmates in Zahedan Prison. They were identified as Khodarahm Mohammadani (55), Saeed Brahui (38), Ali Brahui (39), and Shahsavar Shahriari (53). These inmates had been convicted of drug offenses four years ago.

These executions have raised concerns about the use of capital punishment in drug-related cases. In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

 

 

 

 

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Iran’s Execution Rate Rises Alarmingly with At Least 57 Executions in Eleven Days

Over the past eleven days, at least 57 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various Iranian prisons. The executions were for drug-related crimes, murder, “spreading corruption on earth,” and blasphemy. HRANA has compiled a statistical analysis of the details of the executions during this period.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, there has been a noticeable increase in the execution of prisoners in Iranian prisons from April 28 to May 9, 2023.

Based on the reports compiled by HRANA, the death sentences were carried out in several prisons, including Rajai Shahr (Karaj), Ghezel Hesar (Karaj), Urmia, Salmas, Ardabil, Dastgerd (Isfahan), Vakilabad (Mashhad), Neishabur, Torbat-e-Jam, Rasht, Yazd, Birjand, Qazvin, Minab, Bandar Abbas, Zahedan, Khorramabad, and Iranshahr.

Out of the 57 executed prisoners, 36 were convicted of drug-related charges, 17 for murder, two for insulting the Prophet of Islam, and one for alleged “spreading corruption on earth.” In one case the charges remain unknown.

At least 38 death-row prisoners were also transferred to solitary confinement in Salmas, Urmia, Khorin, Ghezel Hesar (Karaj), Yazd, Bandar Abbas, Birjand, Adelabad (Shiraz) and Zahedan, which could be a prelude to their execution. HRANA is investigating their fate, and the statistics presented in this report could increase.

As of the time of writing, most of these executions have not been announced by official sources or media inside Iran.

The issuance and execution of death sentences violate the right to live and have been heavily criticized by international organizations, with Iran ranking first globally in execution rate per capita.

On May 9, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called these recent increases in executions “frightening” and urged Iranian authorities to halt all executions. “On average so far this year, over 10 people are put to death each week in Iran, making it one of the world’s highest executors,” said Türk.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports on the execution of 565 people and death sentences for 92 people, six of whom were sentenced to be hanged in public. Of these 565 executions, two death sentences were carried out in public, and five were juvenile offenders who were under 18 years old at the time of committing the alleged crime.

The breakdown of charges for these executions is as follows: 122 individuals were executed for drug-related offenses, 59 for murder, 6 for undisclosed charges, 1 for adultery, 1 for ideological charges, 1 for corruption, 1 for Moharebeh (political security), and 1 for non-political Moharebeh.

Skylar Thompson, the head of Global Advocacy and Accountability of Human Rights Activists, stated that “the surging rate of executions in Iran illustrates an utter disregard for human life. Under no circumstance does the ongoing use of the death penalty, for drug-related offenses in particular, amount to what is permittable under international law. Iranian authorities have an absolute obligation to uphold international human rights standards and instead, there is ongoing impunity for grave violations of the right to life–and more. The international community must not delay in sounding the alarm, they should call for a stay of executions for those currently facing execution and a moratorium on the death penalty, at a minimum, for crimes not amounting to “most serious” under international law.”

 

 

Alarming Surge in Executions in Iran: At Least 45 Executions in Seven Days

Over the past week, at least 45 prisoners, including two women, have been executed in various Iranian prisons for drug-related crimes and murder, marking a growing trend of execution in the country. HRANA has compiled a statistical analysis of the details of the executions during this period.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, there has been a noticeable increase in the execution of prisoners in Iranian prisons over the past week.

Based on the reports compiled by HRANA, the death sentences were carried out in several prisons, including Rajai Shahr (Karaj), Ghezel Hesar (Karaj), Urmia, Ardabil, Dastgerd (Isfahan), Vakilabad (Mashhad), Neishabur, Torbat-e-Jam, Rasht, Yazd, Birjand, Qazvin, Minab, Bandar Abbas, Zahedan, Khorramabad, and Iranshahr.

Out of the 45 executed prisoners, 29 were convicted of drug-related charges, while at least 15 were executed for murder.
At least 19 death-row prisoners were also transferred to solitary confinement in Salmas, Urmia, Khorin, Ghezel Hesar (Karaj), Yazd, Bandar Abbas, Birjand, and Zahedan, which could be a prelude to their execution. HRANA is investigating their fate, and the statistics presented in this report could increase.

As of the time of writing, most of these executions have not been announced by official sources or media inside Iran.

The issuance and execution of death sentences violate the right to live and have been heavily criticized by international organizations, with Iran ranking first globally in execution rate per capita.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports on the execution of 565 people and death sentences for 92 people, six of whom were sentenced to be hanged in public. Of these 565 executions, two death sentences were carried out in public, and five were juvenile offenders who were under 18 years old at the time of committing the alleged crime.

At least 192 people, including 8 women, have been executed in Iran from January 1 to May 5. The majority of these executions were for drug-related offenses and murder. Moreover, 71 death sentences were issued, and 27 other sentences were confirmed by the Supreme Court.

The breakdown of charges for these executions is as follows: 122 individuals were executed for drug-related offenses, 59 for murder, 6 for undisclosed charges, 1 for adultery, 1 for ideological charges, 1 for corruption, 1 for Moharebeh (political security), and 1 for non-political Moharebeh.

Skylar Thompson, the head of Global Advocacy and Accountability of Human Rights Activists, stated that “the surging rate of executions in Iran illustrates an utter disregard for human life. Under no circumstance does the ongoing use of the death penalty, for drug-related offenses in particular, amount to what is permittable under international law. Iranian authorities have an absolute obligation to uphold international human rights standards and instead, there is ongoing impunity for grave violations of the right to life–and more. The international community must not delay in sounding the alarm, they should call for a stay of executions for those currently facing execution and a moratorium on the death penalty, at a minimum, for crimes not amounting to “most serious” under international law.”

Seven Inmates Executed in Yazd, Mashhad and Birjand

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Haal Vsh reports the execution of seven inmates on May 4, 2023, across three different prisons in Iran: five in Yazd prison, one in Birjand, and one in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Among the five executed in Yazd, three have been identified as Saboor Shah-Bakhsh (23), Amir Rameshk (34), and Abdolbasir Bazhm (29). These prisoners were convicted of drug-related crimes in recent years. The identities of the other two inmates remain unknown, but it is reported that one was convicted of drug-related crimes and the other of murder.

Additionally, on the same day, an inmate named Nour-Ahmad Zavarzahi from Zahedan was executed in Vakilabad prison, Mashhad. He had been sentenced to death for drug offenses two years ago.

On April 29, Birjand Prison officials executed an inmate identified as Jaber Aminifar without notifying his family. He was imprisoned for several years.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country has reported these executions at the time of writing.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Five Inmates Executed in Birjand Prison

On February 26, Birjand Prison officials executed five death-row prisoners, including two women.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh, five inmates, including two women, were executed in Birjand Prison, South Khorasan Province.

Two of these men have been identified as Abdolhamid Sheh Bakhsh, a resident of Zahedan, and Ali Fanoodie, a resident of Birjand. In 2020, they were arrested and sentenced to death for drug-related crimes.
The identities of the three others are still unknown.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country has reported these executions at the time of writing.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

 

Nine Inmates Executed in Zanjan, Birjand, and Zahedan Prisons.

Nine inmates have been executed in Zanjan, Birjand, and Zahedan Prisons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh, on September 10, 2022, the Zahedan Prison officials executed five inmates, including a woman. 

Four of the inmates have been identified as Khaled Raisi, 38, Amrollah Basij, 27, Abdolnasir She Bakhsh, 42, and Hooshang Kurd, 27. All have been convicted of murder. The female prisoner is still unidentified. 

Haal Vsh also reported the execution of an inmate identified as Mansoor Barahooie in Birjand Prison. Birjand Revolutionary Court sentenced Barahooie to death on drug-related charges in 2019.

On September 11, Iran Human Rights Organization further reported the execution of two inmates identified as Mehdi Aghoosh, 30, and Hassan Aghamohammadi, 27, in Zanjan and Isfahan Prisons, both convicted of murder. Four years ago, Aghoosh was accused and convicted of killing a man in a group fight. Aghamohammadi was convicted of murder three years ago.

Iran Human Rights Organization has additionally reported that an inmate identified as Ahmad Panahi Khanghah, 40, convicted of murder was executed in Ardabil Prison.

These executions have not been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far.