Mohsen Norouzi and Unidentified Man at Imminent Risk of Execution in Rasht

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions in Rasht Central Prison. They were both sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

One of the men’s identities has been established as 23-year-old Mohsen Norouzi.

Should they be unable to obtain extensions or forgiveness from the victim’s families, they will be executed within hours.

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.