Iran: Uncle Executed His Own Nephew

According to IHR sources, Alireza Sa’daei was executed on the morning of Wednesday, March 11, at the central prison of Zanjan city, Iran.

He was sentenced to qisas (retribution) for murdering his cousin four years ago. The plaintiff was Alireza’s own paternal uncle. 

“Alireza had lost his father several years ago. His mother begged the uncle to forgive Alireza but he refused. The uncle said he wanted to see the moment Alireza is dying,” the source told IHR. 

According to the Iranian Islamic Penal Code (IPC) murder is punishable by qisas which means “retribution in kind” or retaliation. In this way, the State effectively puts the responsibility of the death sentence for murder on the shoulders of the victim’s family. In qisas cases, the plaintiff has the possibility to forgive or demand diya (blood-money). 

Executions in Iran have continued to be carried out even after the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.