Execution of Two Inmates in Khorramabad Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

On Saturday, December 23, Khorramabad Prison executed two individuals convicted of drug-related offenses, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The executed prisoners have been identified as Khoda-Karam Lorestani, aged 50, and Hossein Musivand, known as Papi, aged 40. Both individuals reportedly originate from Borujerd, Lorestan province.

Musivand and Lorestani received death sentences for separate drug-related cases, five and four years ago, respectively. The executions took place amid ongoing concerns surrounding the application of capital punishment for drug offenses.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in 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. Many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Inmate Executed in Yasuj Prison

On Thursday, December 30, an inmate previously sentenced to death for rape was executed in Yasuj Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ISNA News Agency, the Public Prosecutor of Yasuj City announced that the execution had been carried out. The inmate was arrested and convicted last year, and the verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court of Iran. The Prosecutor did not reveal the identity of the executed prisoner.

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (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.