Kerman Prison conducted the execution of three inmates on October 9, as reported by Haal Vsh.
One of the inmates has been identified as Narui (Narooie)(first name unknown), who was convicted of drug-related offenses. The identities and convictions of the other two inmates remain undisclosed, though there are indications that they may be Afghan nationals.
As of the time of writing, there have been no official statements or reports from domestic media sources within the country regarding these executions.
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.
Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)- On the World Day against the Death Penalty, the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) has published its annual report in an effort to sensitize the public about the death penalty situation in Iran, particularly thousands of death-row convicts awaiting their looming executions.
HRA’s Statistics Center relies on the work of HRANA reporters, as well as a network of independent and verifiable sources. It also incorporates the judicial authorities’ announcements or confirmations of prisoner executions on media, and as such, is exposed to a margin of error representing efforts by the Iranian authorities to omit, conceal, or restrict the collection of such data.
Click on the picture to download the report in PDF format
Between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, at least 659 convicts were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 24% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, Seven were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial and due process.
HRANA obtained 580 reports regarding executions and the death penalty in Iran during this period. The identified executed individuals, include 17 women and 1 juvenile offender under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged crime. Compared to the last period, the execution of female offenders has decreased 15%.
According to the reports obtained by HRANA, over this period, Iranian authorities sentenced at least 164 defendants to the death penalty, including at least 5 women, and 2 public executions. Issuing death sentences rose by 84% compared to the last year.
As the chart below shows a breakdown of executions by capital offense: 56.60% for drug and narcotic offenses, 35.05% for murder, 2.58% for rape, 2.28% for unknown reasons, 1.21% for political or security-related offenses, 0.61% for “Corruption on Earth”, 0.61% for spying, terror, and bombing, 0.46% for “Corruption on Earth” (non-political), 0.46% for ideological, political, or religious reasons, 0.15% for Adultery – Types of consensual sexual relations
The pie chart below displays execution numbers by the province in which they took place. According to this chart, the Alborz (where three overcrowded prisons are located) had the highest number of executions at 15.33%. Sistan and Baluchestan and Kerman Provinces come second and third, with 11.53% and 8.65%, respectively.
The chart below depicts the distribution of execution information sources. The chart indicates that 63% of HRANA-confirmed executions were not announced by official Iranian sources. Undisclosed executions are referred to as “secret” executions.
The chart down shows the execution numbers by gender.
The chart below displays execution numbers by the prison where the executions were carried out. The Zahedan Prison And Adel Abad of Shiraz officials have carried out the highest number.
The chart below displays the percentage of executions carried out in public Vs the number of executions that were carried out in prison. According to statistics, 1.06% of the executions in Iran were carried out in public.
Arzhang Mortazavi, a student at Kharazmi University, found himself in the custody of security forces in Karaj on October 7th, where he was subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. This marks his second arrest, following his previous detention during the 2022 nationwide protests.
A reliable source with close ties to Mortazavi’s family provided HRANA with information regarding his arrest at his residence. It has been reported that the agents conducted a search of his home and confiscated some of his personal belongings.
Mortazavi had previously informed on social media about his summons to appear before the Public Security Police.
His initial arrest took place on December 17, 2022, in front of the university entrance. However, on February 21, 2023, he was released from the Central Prison of Karaj under the provisions of a general “pardon and commutation” directive.
In a separate development, late last month, Mortazavi received a suspension from the university for four semesters and was compelled to transfer to Damghan University.
The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has handed down a sentence of seven years and six months in prison to Sakineh Parvaneh, a political prisoner currently detained in Vakilabad Prison.
Presiding over the case, Judge Hadi Mansouri conveyed the verdict to Parvaneh’s attorney, Khosro Alikurdi. She has been charged with multiple offenses, including “assembly and collusion against national security” and “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”
According to information received by HRANA from a source, Alikurdi was not permitted to attend the court session.
Parvaneh was arrested in April 2023 by agents from the IRGC Intelligence, following her visit to the burial place of Ali Mozafari, one of the protestors killed during the nationwide protests in 2022, in Quchan. After spending 12 days in a detention facility, she was transferred to Vakilabad Prison.
It is important to note that Parvaneh has a prior arrest and conviction related to her activism. In her previous encounter with the security institutions, she was detained by IRGC Intelligence forces in the winter of 2020. Subsequently, she received a five-year prison sentence and a two-year prohibition from participating in political groups. However, in February 2023, she was granted amnesty and released in accordance with a general “pardon and commutation” directive.
The Court of Appeal in Razavi Khorasan Province has upheld the ten-year and nine-month prison sentence of Baha’i citizen Sanaz Tafazoli. Tafazoli is currently incarcerated in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.
According to information provided by a source closely associated with her family, the court session was held on Thursday, October 5, in the absence of both Tafazoli and her legal counsel.
Previously, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court had sentenced Tafazoli to six years and six months for “forming a group to act against national security,” three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and eight months for “educational/promotional activities against Sharia.”
On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, intelligence agents apprehended Tafazoli, aged 45, in Mashhad. A search of her residence resulted in the confiscation of belongings belonging to both her and her son.
After multiple extensions of Tafazoli’s detention period, she was incarcerated at Vakilabad Prison on December 29, 2022.
In February, she was granted a ten-billion-toman bail. However, judicial authorities declined her release on bail, returning this heavy bail to her family.
According to the HRANA annual report, a significant portion, accounting for 64.63%, of human rights violations against religious minorities were related to the infringement of Baha’i rights.
The denial of the freedom to practice a religion constitutes a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant asserts that every individual possesses the right to religious freedom, the freedom to convert, and the freedom of expression, both individually and collectively, openly or privately.
On October 5, 2023, Ministry of Intelligence agents apprehended Baha’i citizen Ahmad Naeimi (Naeemi) in Yazd and subsequently transported him to a detention facility.
According to a source closely connected to Naeimi’s family who informed HRANA, two agents detained Naeimi at his workplace. As of now, the exact reasons for his arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed.
HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.
The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.
Amir-Hossein Moradi, a political prisoner, is currently serving a one-year sentence in Evin Prison and has recently embarked on a hunger strike in protest of his incarceration.
A source close to Moradi’s family has informed HRANA that he is being held in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. Since last Monday, October 2, he has been on a hunger strike, demanding his release.
In March 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Moradi to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” a charge based on a post published on his Instagram page.
Moradi was arrested at his father’s residence on May 8, 2023. He was subsequently released from Evin Prison on bond on June 3, 2023.
It is worth noting that Moradi has faced arrests and periods of incarceration due to his activism.
Keyvan Rahimi was apprehended by security forces on October 5, 2023, and subsequently taken to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Saqqez, according to a report by Kurdpa.
The grounds for his arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed as of now.
In September-October 2021, Rahimi was handed an eight-month prison sentence by the Saqqez Revolutionary Court on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”
Iman Rashidi, a Baha’i citizen, was taken into custody on October 5, 2023, by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in Yazd, and subsequently transported to an undisclosed detention facility.
According to a source close to his family, HRANA has learned that Rashidi’s wife was leaving their residence when she was confronted and encircled by intelligence agents. Under duress, she was compelled to lead the agents to Mr. Rashidi’s location, resulting in his arrest.
During the operation, the agents also conducted a search of his residence and confiscated some of his personal belongings.
As of now, the reasons behind Rashidi’s arrest and the specific allegations against him remain unknown.
The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.
The Criminal Court of Abhar, located in Zanjan province, has delivered a 13-year prison sentence to Mohammad-Vali Heydarbeigi (Heydar-Beigi), an injured veteran of the Iran-Iraq war.
According to the verdict issued on October 2, Heydarbeigi has been sentenced to five years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” another five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime,” amounting to a total of 13 years.
Should the verdict be upheld upon appeal, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years of the sentence will be enforceable.
Heydarbeigi was arrested on November 19, 2022, and held in detention at the IRGC intelligence facility in Zanjan. After 25 days, he was released on bail amounting to one billion tomans.
