Mokhtar Valizadeh Executed for Murder in Shiraz

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Shiraz Central Prison on the morning of February 13. His identity has been established as Mokhtar Valizadeh who was sentenced to qisas(retribution-in-kind) for murder.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Mokhtar Valizadeh and his sister have been on death row for the murder of his brother-in-law for five years. Both Mokhtar and his sister were due to be executed for the murder but his sister wasn’t executed for unknown reasons and returned to her cell.”

At the time of writing, Mokhtar’s execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

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.