Drug-Related Offenses: Two Prisoners Executed in Adelabad Prison of Shiraz

HRANA – On Wednesday, November 5, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Adelabad Prison of Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the two executed prisoners have been identified as Habib Zare’ and Faez Abousheh.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, the prisoners had earlier been arrested on charges related to drug offenses and were later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these two individuals have not been officially announced by prison authorities or related institutions.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Three Prisoners Executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

HRANA – On Tuesday, November 4, three prisoners were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to Khorasan daily, one of the executed prisoners was identified as Majid Sh., 29 years old. The report states that in June 2021, he was arrested on charges of murdering “Reza A.”, the husband of one of his acquaintances. The crime was allegedly committed in collaboration with the victim’s wife, motivated by an extramarital relationship between the two.

Both defendants confessed to the crime after their arrest. The Criminal Court Branch One of Razavi Khorasan Province sentenced Majid to death for murder and his accomplice to a long-term prison sentence. The death sentence was later upheld by the Supreme Court and subsequently carried out.

HRANA has identified another executed prisoner as Rasoul Kahzadi, a native of Kuhdasht. According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Kahzadi was arrested in 2022 after traveling to Mashhad, where he was involved in a fatal altercation that resulted in the death of a young man. He was later sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.

The third executed prisoner had also been sentenced to death for murder.

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

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons, marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Kuhdasht: Reckless Shooting by Police Results in Death of a Citizen

HRANA – A 27-year-old man in Kuhdasht County was shot by police in a case of reckless gunfire. After being hospitalized for three days, he died on Tuesday, November 4, due to the severity of his injuries.

HRANA has identified the victim as Reza Adinvand, 27 years old, single, and a resident of Kuhdasht. A source close to the Adinvand family confirmed the incident to HRANA, stating:
“On Saturday, November 1, police forces opened fire on this young man while he was hiking in nature. He died yesterday in the hospital as a result of his injuries.”

As of this report, no information has been made available regarding the reasons behind the reckless shooting by the security forces.

In 2024 alone, indiscriminate gunfire by Iranian regime military forces claimed the lives of 163 civilians and left 321 others injured. Over the past five years, the number of victims of these unrestrained shootings has increased, more than doubling compared to five years ago.

Report on the Latest Status of Death-Row Prisoner Ehsan Afrashteh

HRANA – Ehsan Afrashteh, a prisoner sentenced to death, is currently being held in Evin Prison. His second request for retrial has been filed with the Supreme Court and referred to Branch 29 for review.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Mr. Afrashteh was sentenced to death in June 2025 by Judge Salavati, head of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, on the charge of “espionage.” The sentence was upheld first by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court during the appeals stage and again by Branch 9 during the first retrial. His case is now under review in the second retrial phase, referred to Branch 29 of the Supreme Court.

Ehsan Afrashteh was arrested in 2024 after returning to Iran from Turkey. Following several months in solitary confinement, he was transferred to the public ward of Evin Prison in October 2024, and he is currently held in Ward 7.

A source close to Afrashteh’s family confirmed to HRANA:
“Recently, prison officials intended to transfer him to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, but several inmates tried to prevent it. In response, authorities summoned some of these prisoners to the ward’s administrative office and deprived them of family visits.”

The source added: “Ehsan Afrashteh has been accused of espionage for Israel and sentenced to death. Forced confessions were obtained from him, though the content remains undisclosed. According to the source, these confessions were fabricated, and Afrashteh has denied all charges. Additionally, some of his and his family’s assets have been seized, and his family remains under pressure and threats from security agencies.”

Ehsan Afrashteh, aged approximately 32, is a civil engineering graduate (MSc), an IT and network specialist, and a native of Isfahan who previously resided in Tehran.

Five Prisoners Executed in Yazd Prison

HRANA – At dawn today, five prisoners, including at least one woman, were executed in Yazd Prison. The individuals had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

The executions were carried out early Tuesday morning, November 4. Among those executed was Kobra Rezaei, whose identity has been confirmed by HRANA. Ms. Rezaei had previously been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on drug-related charges.

Based on information received by HRANA, two of the executed prisoners had been convicted of murder, while two others were sentenced to death for drug-related crimes by the Criminal and Revolutionary Courts.

Further details, including the identities of the other four prisoners, are currently under investigation by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant state institutions.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons, marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

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Maryam Zubeidi Arrested and Transferred to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz

HRANA – Maryam Zubeidi, a resident of Ahvaz, was arrested on Saturday, November 1, to serve her prison sentence and transferred to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Ms. Zubeidi was taken into custody after appearing at the Enforcement of Judgments Branch of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court. She had previously been summoned to this branch to begin serving her four-year prison sentence.

A source close to the case told HRANA that eight months of Ms. Zubeidi’s previous detention period were not credited toward her final sentence.

In October this year, the Court of Appeals upheld a four-year prison sentence against Ms. Zubeidi on charges including acting against national security. The Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had previously issued the same sentence in the initial trial.

Maryam Zubeidi, 58, who suffers from respiratory and digestive illnesses, has a history of prior arrest.

Forough Khosravi Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

HRANA – Forough Khosravi, an elementary school teacher residing in Behbahan, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, one day after her trial was held at Branch 1 of the Behbahan Revolutionary Court.

Her trial took place yesterday at Branch 1 of the Behbahan Revolutionary Court, and today, Sunday, November 2, 2025, the same branch, presided over by Judge Moradian, issued and delivered the verdict to Ms. Khosravi.

Based on the verdict, she was sentenced as follows: one year for “propaganda against the regime”, two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader”, two years for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic”, five years for “insulting the sacred”, and five years for “communication with media outlets affiliated with Israel, such as Iran International,” totaling 15 years in prison.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence, five years of imprisonment, will be enforceable.

A source familiar with the case told HRANA: “The baseless charges are mostly based on Ms. Khosravi’s private text messages with a family member and a few protest-related Instagram stories she posted several years ago. During the hearing, instead of examining her defense or the material and moral elements of the charges, the judge told her, ‘You’re still too radical!’”

On September 22, 2025, Branch 2 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Behbahan, led by investigator Ruhollah Farzadnasab, issued a bill of indictment against her.

A source close to the family told HRANA earlier: “In the issued indictment, Ms. Khosravi’s former husband, Hadi Hakim Shafa’i, was also named as a defendant, and it was stated that his case remains open. However, Mr. Hakim Shafa’i has not received any summons to date.”

Ms. Khosravi had earlier appeared for questioning at the same branch following a summons.

She was arrested on July 29, 2025, by IRGC Intelligence agents, and was released on August 9, 2025, after posting a 2-billion-toman bail from Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Earlier, on June 20, 2025, six IRGC Intelligence agents, including two women, entered Ms. Khosravi’s home without a judicial warrant, searched the house, and confiscated some of her personal belongings, including her phone. Her young daughter was at home during the raid and was reportedly deeply traumatized by the incident.

Later, Ms. Khosravi filed a complaint against the agents involved; however, investigator Ruhollah Farzadnasab from Branch 2 of the Behbahan Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the case, ruling in favor of the security agents and issuing a non-prosecution order.

Forough Khosravi is an elementary school teacher with a Ph.D. in Education, residing in Behbahan. Following the 2009 protests, she was expelled from Payame Noor University in Bandar Imam. Her former husband, Hadi Hakim Shafa’i, is a writer and researcher of religion and philosophy living in Bojnourd, who has previously faced arrest and conviction for his activities.

Execution of a Prisoner in Semnan Prison

HRANA – At dawn on Monday, October 27, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out in Semnan Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as Hosseinali Montazeri, a resident of Pakdasht.
Based on information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Montazeri had been arrested earlier on drug-related charges and was later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Execution of a Prisoner in Bojnurd Prison

HRANA – At dawn on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of murder was carried out in Bojnurd Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as Ali Safari.
Based on information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Safari had been arrested earlier on charges of murder and was later sentenced to death by a criminal court.

As of the time of this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons, marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Death Sentence of Naser Bekrzadeh Overturned for the Second Time by the Supreme Court

HRANA – The death sentence of Naser Bekrzadeh, a political prisoner held in Urmia Prison, has once again been overturned by the Supreme Court. Bekrzadeh had recently been sentenced to death for the second time by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Bekrzadeh’s death sentence was recently overturned by the Supreme Court, and the decision was officially communicated to him on Wednesday, October 29. The political prisoner, who is being held in Urmia Prison’s political ward, is now awaiting the scheduling of a new hearing and the designation of a new court branch to review his case.

In September 2025, Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court had sentenced Bekrzadeh to death on charges of “espionage for Israel” for the second time.

In November 2024, he had initially been sentenced to death by Branch Three of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on charges of “espionage for Israel and collaboration with Mossad intelligence services.” That ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in April 2025, which referred the case to another branch for reconsideration.

Naser Bekrzadeh, about 26 years old, was arrested in January 2024. He was held for a period in the IRGC’s intelligence detention facility in Urmia, where he was subjected to interrogation. According to a source close to his family, this process involved violations of his basic rights, including being denied contact and visits with his family.