Hamedan Prison, August 29, 2023 – Two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed today.

The individuals, identified as Hamed Sargazi and Esmaeil Hajizadeh by HRANA, were put to death after being found guilty of drug offenses that led to their death sentences three years ago.

The prevalence of capital punishment in cases involving drug offenses continues to be a concern. According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, 457 cases warranting the death penalty were reported in 2022. Notably, nearly 43% of these cases stemmed from drug-related charges, shedding light on an ongoing issue.