Three Inmates Executed in Isfahan and Qom

Two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. Another inmate convicted of murder was executed in Qom Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh, on July 20, 2022, two inmates identified as Dariush Khazai, age about 60, and Mahmood Sadeghian, age 28, were executed in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

Both individuals were arrested and charged with drug-related crimes in 2019.

Haal Vsh also reported that in Birjand Prison, two death-row inmates charged with drug-related crimes were taken to solitary confinement which happens prior to execution. One of the inmates has been identified as Zabihollah Barahooi, age 38.

Iran Human Rights Organization also reported the execution of an inmate identified as Hamed Sarband, age 32, in Birjand Prison, who was convicted of murder.

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists  (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period. 

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.