Execution of Two Prisoners in Mahabad and Rasht

HRANA – The death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted on charges related to drug offenses and murder were carried out in the prisons of Mahabad and Lakan Prison in Rasht.

According to citing Kurdpa, at dawn on Monday, May 25, 2026, a prisoner was executed in Mahabad Prison. The identity of the prisoner has been reported as Abdolghader Rasouli, a married man and father of two from Mahabad.

According to the report, Mr. Rasouli had previously been arrested on charges related to drug offenses and was later sentenced to death by the judiciary.

His execution was carried out after he was granted a final visit with his family.

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

Additionally, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of a prisoner in Lakan Prison in Rasht on the same day. His identity has been reported as Amirabbas Shokri, a 29-year-old man from Rasht.

According to the report, Mr. Shokri had been arrested approximately three years ago on charges of committing murder during a fight and was later sentenced to death by the judiciary. He had previously worked at an auto repair shop.

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

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Nationwide Protests: Report on the Arrest of 13 Citizens in Various Cities

HRANA – In connection with the recent nationwide protests, security forces have arrested 13 individuals. Some of those detained have since been released, while information regarding the charges against these individuals remains unclear.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mousa al-Reza Meshkani was arrested on January 10 in Meshkan, a district of Sabzevar, and is currently being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Ali Sharifzadeh (Eizi), Saeed Gharagholi, and Mohammad Kalmishi were arrested in Sabzevar on January 8 (18 Dey), February 11, and January 9, respectively. Ali Sharifzadeh was transferred to Mashhad Prison, while Saeed Gharagholi and Mohammad Kalmishi are still being held in Sabzevar Prison. Reza Gerami was arrested on February 14 in Joghatai and is currently detained in the city’s prison.

Raham Rahimi, Elias Jahannoush, Ali Ansari, and Farshad and Farhad Salari, other residents of Sabzevar, were released on Tuesday, February 24, from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad after posting bail.

Leila Bakhshandehfar, who had been arrested on January 3 by the Mashhad Intelligence Office, was also released yesterday from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. She had previously been sentenced by a judicial authority to four years and six months of discretionary imprisonment. The sentence was initially converted to a fine of 140 million tomans in lieu of imprisonment. Ultimately, taking into account her detention period and submission to the verdict, the amount was reduced to 70 million tomans.

Additionally, the Kurdpa news outlet reported that in the early hours of Monday, February 23, Ahmad Tamouei, a former political prisoner from Salmas County, was arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an undisclosed location. Mr. Tamouei has previously served prison sentences due to his activities.

Hyrcani media also reported that Sohrab Kolthoumi, 32, a resident of Rasht, was arrested by security forces at his home in the city on January 25.

According to the report, following his arrest, he was held for 26 days at an IRGC Intelligence detention facility, where he was interrogated and beaten. He was then transferred for a short time to the triage ward of Lakan Prison in Rasht. He was subsequently removed from the prison and transferred back to the IRGC Intelligence detention facility. Concerns have increased regarding continued pressure to extract a forced confession and about his physical condition.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the charges brought against these individuals.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in recent years. Following the suppression of the protests by law enforcement and security forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security institutions. For further information, refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “The Crimson Winter: A 50 Day Record of Iran’s 2025–2026 Nationwide Protests.”

Iran Carries Out at Least 26 Executions Within 48 Hours

HRANA – Over the past two days, at least 26 prisoners have been executed in various prisons across Iran on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

Tuesday, December 30

Previously, HRANA had reported in another report the execution of nine prisoners on that day. In addition to those nine, the following executions were also reported on the same day.

According to HRANA, a prisoner named Hojjat Amini-Zadeh was executed on a murder charge in Shahrekord Prison. Another prisoner, whose identity remains unknown, was also executed on a murder charge in Lakan Prison in Rasht.
The outlet Haal Vsh reported the execution of Mansour Rigi (Chakerzehi), a 38-year-old father of four from Zahedan, who was executed in Semnan Prison on charges related to drug offenses.

Wednesday, December 31
HRANA reported the executions of the following individuals:

Mohsen Jadidi and Manouchehr Niazi, on murder charges, in Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj
Mehran Hosseini and Keramat Safari, on drug-related charges, in Mashhad Prison
Moslem Rafiei-Nia, on drug-related charges, in Malayer Prison
Samad Azizi, on drug-related charges, in Damghan Prison
Niazali Yari, on drug-related charges, in Sabzevar Prison
Sohbat Fathi, on a murder charge, in Mahabad Prison
Meysam Naseri, on a murder charge, in Bushehr Prison
Karamali Khani, on a murder charge, in Kashmar Prison
One Afghan national, on a murder charge, in Chabahar Prison
Three prisoners on murder charges in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz; HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of them as Ehsan Dehghan Panah

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

In December 2025, HRANA recorded the execution of 369 prisoners. The number of executions carried out in Iran over the past year has been unprecedented in the last decade. For more details, refer to HRANA’s annual report.

Ehsan Khodayari Arrested in Rasht

HRANA – On December 20, Ehsan (Armin) Khodayari, a citizen from Zanjan, was arrested by security forces in Rasht and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source familiar with the case told HRANA:
“After completing his sentence at Lakan Prison in Rasht, Ehsan was working at a bakery in Tehran. During his previous imprisonment, his mobile phone had been confiscated by security agencies. Some time ago, he was summoned by phone by the same agency to retrieve his phone. On Friday evening, he traveled to Rasht. After security agents became aware of his presence in the city, they contacted him again. Due to his failure to report, he was questioned and ultimately arrested.”

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges brought against him.

Ehsan Khodayari, 20 years old and originally from Zanjan, has previously faced arrest and judicial confrontations due to his activities.

At Least Eight Prisoners Executed in Iran on December 11

HRANA – Yesterday, Thursday, December 11, at least eight more prisoners were executed in Iran on charges of murder and drug-related offenses. In addition, the execution of two other prisoners was reported on Wednesday, December 10.

On this day, HRANA reported the execution of the following individuals:

Ali Shamloo, on drug-related charges, in Bojnurd Prison;

Kavian (first name only, last name unknown), on a murder charge, in Bukan Prison;

Kabir Mahmoudvand, on a murder charge, in Mahshahr Prison;

Yaser Jahantigh, on a murder charge, in Sari Prison;

Mohammad Ghahramani, on a murder charge, in Ferdows Prison;

Sasan Sheikhi, on a murder charge, in Behbahan Prison.

Additionally, two prisoners were executed in Taybad Prison on drug-related charges. HRANA has identified one of them as Manouchehr Navabi.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, December 10, the execution of two prisoners in Lakan Prison in Rasht was reported by the Iran Human Rights. The identities of these prisoners were reported as Mehrdad Rezaei, 31 years old, from the village of Chaperpard in Rasht County, and Saeed Khoshkalam, 27 years old, from Karaj. Mehrdad Rezaei was arrested four years ago and Saeed Khoshkalam three years ago in separate cases on drug-related charges and were subsequently sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not been officially announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

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Political Prisoner Karim Khojasteh Sentenced to Death

HRANA – Karim Khojasteh, a political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion).

Based on the ruling issued and formally communicated to him by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, Khojasteh was sentenced to death on the charge of baghi through alleged membership in an anti-government group. The trial session for this case was held on September 17, 2025.

Karim Khojasteh was arrested on March 13, 2025, by security forces at his workplace and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.

He had previously been arrested on July 20, 2024, due to his critical activities and was released on November 29, 2024, after posting a bail of 500 million tomans.

Karim Khojasteh is a resident of Khomam, one of the northern counties of Gilan Province.

12 Prisoners Executed Across Multiple Prisons on Murder and Drug-Related Charges

HRANA – In recent days, dozens of prisoners across various prisons in Iran have been executed on charges related to murder and drug offenses. This report covers the execution of 12 prisoners.

Sunday, November 23 :
HRANA reported the execution of Ja’far Shokri on a murder charge in Birjand Prison.

According to Iran Human Rights Organization, a 36-year-old prisoner was executed in Maragheh Prison on a murder charge stemming from a conflict. The report did not provide further details, including the prisoner’s identity.

Tuesday, November 25:
According to HRANA, a prisoner named Noushad Amiri was executed in Qazvin Prison on charges related to drug offenses.

Wednesday, November 26:
According to HRANA, a prisoner named Hormoz Nejati was hanged in Esfarayen Prison. He had previously been arrested on charges related to drug offenses and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

On the same day, Hyrkani News reported the execution of two prisoners, Ali Saye-afkan from Rasht and Mehrdad Pourhossein, in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Both had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

Finally, Haal Vsh reported the execution of six prisoners in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. The identity of one of them, Hamid Yousef-Zahi, age 38, has been confirmed. He was executed on drug-related charges.

At the time this report was prepared, the executions of these prisoners had not been announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

Execution of Fourteen Prisoners in Various Prisons

HRANA – In recent days, fourteen prisoners were hanged in different prisons across Iran.

On Tuesday, October 21, Fardin Vafaipour, 43, father of two and a resident of Borujerd, was executed in the city’s prison. According to Iran Human Rights, Mr. Vafaipour had been arrested four years ago on charges related to drug offenses and was later sentenced to death by the judiciary.

On Wednesday, October 22, Marouf Fattahi, 30, from Tabriz, was hanged in the city’s prison, Iran Human Rights reported. According to the report, Mr. Fattahi was arrested five years ago on a murder charge stemming from a street fight and was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court.

According to HRANA, on Saturday, October 25, Lakan Prison in Rasht, Gilan Province, witnessed the execution of three prisoners on drug-related charges. HRANA has identified one of them as Farhad Hatami.

That same day, Iran Human Rights reported the execution of two prisoners in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. The identities of the prisoners were reported as Farhang Taheri and Ammar Pourmansouri, both residents of Ahvaz. The two were executed in a joint case on charges related to drug offenses.

On Sunday, October 26, Mehrdad Moradi was executed in Arak Prison on drug-related charges. He had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

On the same day, another prisoner named Manouchehr Mahaki was hanged in Aligudarz Prison. According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Mahaki had previously been arrested on a murder charge and later sentenced to death by a criminal court.

Also on Sunday, three prisoners were executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz. HRANA has identified one of them, known only by the surname Dehghani. According to HRANA’s information, Mr. Dehghani had been arrested earlier on a murder charge and later sentenced to death by a criminal court. The other two prisoners had been separately arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

Additionally, Haal Vsh reported the execution of another prisoner named Mohammad Omar Zardkouhi, 28, in Zahedan Prison.

Finally, on Monday, October 27, a prisoner named Hamid Rafiei was executed in Zanjan Prison on a murder charge.

At the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not been announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, Political Prisoner from Rasht, Sentenced to Death

HRANA – Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, a 67-year-old political prisoner from Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the city’s Revolutionary Court on the charge of “collaboration with anti-regime groups,” based on highly limited and unreliable evidence.

Her trial was held last week via video conference, during which Judge Ahmad Darvish issued the death verdict. According to her family, the entire judicial process was “symbolic and unlawful.”

Her child told HRANA: “The hearing lasted less than ten minutes. My mother had no meaningful access to an independent lawyer. The court-appointed attorney confirmed and signed the verdict without any defense. The whole trial was a show.” They added, “My mother has never had any connection with political or opposition groups; the charges against her are entirely fabricated.”

According to the family, Zahra Shahbaz Tabari was arrested on April 17, 2025, at her home by security agents and later transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht. During the arrest, the agents searched her home and confiscated her and a family member’s mobile phones and laptop.

The family reports that the alleged evidence in the case is extremely limited and unreliable, including “a piece of fabric bearing the slogan ‘Woman, Resistance, Freedom’” and “an unpublished voice message,” with no proof of organizational or military links. Her child noted that authorities even attempted to accuse her of possessing weapons, claims the family described as “ridiculous and baseless,” particularly given her age and background.

Zahra Shahbaz Tabari is an electrical engineer, a member of the Iranian Engineering Organization, and a graduate of Isfahan University of Technology. She holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Energy from Borås University in Sweden. Her family stated that she was previously arrested for posting peaceful content on social media and was released after three months under electronic monitoring.

In a letter sent by her child to HRANA, they wrote: “She has been detained for about six months or more. The trial was virtual, and the judge announced the death sentence with a smile in a ten-minute session. The appointed lawyer also smiled upon hearing the verdict.” The letter describes severe due process violations and a lack of real evidence, calling the verdict “another example of human rights violations in the Islamic Republic.”

The family added that judicial authorities have accused Ms. Shahbaz Tabari of collaborating with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), and they have been given seven days to appeal the verdict. Her son’s letter concludes: “We will do everything we can,” calling on human rights organizations, media, and the public for urgent attention and action.

Death Sentence of Peyman Farah-Avar Upheld by Supreme Court

HRANA – The death sentence of Peyman (Amin) Farah-Avar, a poet from Gilan currently held in Lakan Prison, Rasht, has been upheld by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court.

Ramin Safarnia, Mr. Farah-Avar’s defense lawyer, announced that Branch 39 of the Supreme Court rejected his client’s appeal and confirmed the death sentence. He added that a petition for retrial will be submitted to the country’s highest judicial authority.

Mr. Farah-Avar’s original death sentence was issued by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ahmad Darvish Goftar, on charges of “Baghi” (armed rebellion) and “Moharebeh” (enmity against God).

A source close to the prisoner’s family told HRANA: “These charges were leveled against Mr. Farah-Avar based on his poetry and protest activities in the areas of social justice and civil rights.”

Farah-Avar was arrested by security forces in September 2024 and taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. He was later transferred to Lakan Prison following the interrogation phase.

A father of a 10-year-old boy, Peyman (Amin) Farah-Avar has previously been detained for his activism.