Supreme Court Rejects Retrial for Political Prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court’s Branch 39 has rejected the retrial request for political prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani, who are currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. The two were sentenced to death by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court in September 2024. Their executions had recently been halted following the Supreme Court’s acceptance of their lawyer’s retrial request.

According to information received by HRANA, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has now denied their retrial. This decision was verbally communicated to Mehdi Hasani’s lawyer today.

On January 26, 2025, the two political prisoners were transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison under the pretext of medical treatment. Their executions had been temporarily suspended after their retrial request was officially submitted and accepted by the Supreme Court.

The two were sentenced to death in late September 2024 by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi),” “enmity against God (moharebeh),” “spreading corruption on earth,” collecting classified information, and collusion against national security. Their alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) was cited as evidence against them.

On Monday, November 28, 2022, Mr. Ehsani was arrested at his home in Tehran and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Mr. Hasani was also arrested on September 9, 2022, while attempting to leave the country in Zanjan and was transferred to Evin Prison. Both individuals spent months in a state of uncertainty and incommunicado detention.

Behrooz Ehsani is 64 years old. Mehdi Hasani, aged around 48, is married and the father of two children. Before his arrest, he was active in the real estate sector.

Prisoner Executed in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz

HRANA News Agency – On Thursday, February 20, 2025, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on murder charges was executed in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed prisoner has been identified as Babak Hajipour, 49, from Masjed Soleyman, Khuzestan province.

A source close to Hajipour’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “In 1994, following a dispute, he was arrested and charged with murder. After serving four years in prison, he was acquitted and released. However, his case was reopened, and he was sentenced to death in absentia by the Criminal Court. In 2014, he was rearrested and transferred to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.”

As of the time of this report, prison and judicial authorities have not publicly announced the execution.

Babak Hajipour’s Death Notice

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Prisoner Executed in Bushehr Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn yesterday, February 20, the execution of a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges was carried out in Bushehr Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, the prisoner, approximately 35 years old, had committed murder during a dispute in the city of Borazjan and was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court.

A knowledgeable source told HRANA: “The victim was one of the managers of a private addiction treatment camp in Borazjan and a resident of the same city. About a year ago, while trying to break up a street fight, he was killed. The murder case was processed swiftly, reaching the execution stage within approximately 18 months. Today, after the victim’s family refused to grant clemency, the convicted individual was executed in prison.”

Further details, including the identity of the prisoner, are still under investigation by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly announced the execution.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Two Prisoners Executed in Mahabad Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on February 20, 2025, the death sentences of two prisoners convicted in separate cases of rape and murder were carried out in Mahabad Prison.

HRANA has identified the executed prisoners as Shahin Mahdavi and Soran Aminpour. According to available information, Mahdavi was sentenced to death for rape, while Aminpour was convicted of murder.

Both prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement a day before their executions.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly confirmed the executions.

Shahin Mahdavi

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Seven Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on February 19, 2025, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the execution of at least seven prisoners. Among them, one was convicted of drug-related offenses, two were sentenced for murder in separate cases, one was charged with moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery, and three others were convicted of rape.

HRANA previously confirmed the identities of some of the executed prisoners: Reza Anzalichi, convicted on drug-related charges; Sasan Mirhadi, sentenced for moharebeh through armed robbery; and Behrouz Mohammadi, convicted of murder.

The identities of the remaining four are still under investigation. Three of them were executed on rape charges, and one was sentenced to death for murder. According to Hamshahri, two of these four executed individuals were Afghan nationals convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in western Tehran, a case dating back to October 2019.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2024. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report

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Update: Number of Executions in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Rises to Six

HRANA News Agency – With the identification of two additional prisoners executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, the total number of executions carried out yesterday in this facility has risen to six.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, at dawn on Monday, February 17, six prisoners were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

In addition to the executions of Ezzat Hosseini Duraki, Ali Eshaghi, Mohammad Shamseddin, and another prisoner whose identity is still under investigation by HRANA, the sentences of Borhan Wasim-Zahi, an Afghan national, and Heydar Babaei were also carried out. Both had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

It is worth noting that Duraki, Eshaghi, and Shamseddin had also been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced these executions.

In 2024, HRA reported 53 executions in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, making it the fourth-highest among prisons in terms of execution numbers.
According to data compiled by HRANA, 52.69% of all executions in Iran in 2024 were related to drug-related charges. Notably, only 6% of the executions were officially announced, highlighting a significant lack of transparency. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

Prisoner Executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Tuesday, February 18, the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death on murder charges was carried out in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed prisoner has been identified as Mahdi Iranian.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Iranian had been sentenced to death by a criminal court on murder charges.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced his execution.

According to HRANA’s data, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz carried out 85 executions in 2024, marking a 73% increase compared to the previous year. This places it as the second most active prison for executions in Iran. For a detailed analysis and full statistics on executions across the country, refer to HRANA’s report.

Updated Report: Number of Executions in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Rises to Four

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Monday, February 17, 2025, the execution of three more prisoners in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, brought the total number of executions carried out in the prison today to four.

In addition to the execution of Ezzat Hosseini Duraki, who had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges, three other prisoners were also executed. HRANA has confirmed the identities of two of them as Ali Eshaghi and Mohammad Shamseddin. Both had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the judiciary.

HRANA is still investigating further details, including the identity of the fourth executed prisoner.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly announced these executions.

In 2024, HRA reported 53 executions in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, making it the fourth-highest among prisons in terms of execution numbers.
According to data compiled by HRANA, 52.69% of all executions in Iran in 2024 were related to drug-related charges. Notably, only 6% of the executions were officially announced, highlighting a significant lack of transparency. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

A Prisoner Executed in Dastgerd Prison on Drug-Related Charges

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Monday, February 17, 2025, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the identity of the prisoner has been confirmed as Ezzat Hosseini Duraki.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Hosseini Duraki had been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary. He had spent more than ten years in prison before his execution.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly announced the execution.

In 2024, HRA reported 53 executions in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, making it the fourth-highest among prisons in terms of execution numbers.
According to data compiled by HRANA, 52.69% of all executions in Iran in 2024 were related to drug-related charges. Notably, only 6% of the executions were officially announced, highlighting a significant lack of transparency. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

Prisoner Executed in Arak Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Sunday, February 16, 2025, a prisoner previously sentenced to death for murder was executed in Arak Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed prisoner has been identified as Hadi Farahani. He was arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by a criminal court.

As of the time of this report, prison and judicial authorities have not publicly announced the execution.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.