Dariush Pourkhodayi Transferred for Execution in Ardabil

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was transferred to solitary confinement on October 8 in preparation of his execution in Ardabil Central Prison. The identity of the prisoner who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder has been established as 28-year-old Dariush Pourkhodayi.

A n informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Dariush was a security guard at a building where a burglar broke in and Dariush got into an altercation with him. When he pushed the burglar, the man’s false tooth jumped in his throat, causing him to suffocate.”

He was transferred for execution from Ward 3 of the prison which is a youth ward.

According to Iran Human Rights’ Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 211 of the 267 people executed in 2020 were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for "premeditated murder."

As there are no legal distinctions made between murder and manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary in Iran, those charged under the umbrella term of “premeditated murder” will receive the death penalty regardless of intent and the circumstances.