Baluch Massoud Rigi Executed in Zahedan

According to Haal Vsh, a Baluch man was executed in Zahedan Central Prison on 22 January. His identity has been reported as 24-year-old Massoud Rigi from the Shirabad region of Zahedan.

He was arrested over two years ago in Zahedan and sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder. He was transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for his execution the day prior.

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

Ethnic minorities, the Baluch in particular, are grossly overrepresented in execution numbers in Iran. In 2022, at least 174 Baluch minorities including 3 women, were executed in 22 prisons across Iran, making up 30% of overall executions. This is while they represent just 2-5% of Iran’s population.

Those charged with the umbrella term of “intentional murder” are sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) regardless of intent or circumstances due to a lack of grading in law. Once a defendant has been convicted, as the plaintiffs, the victim’s family are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.