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.