Erfan Afzali Hanged for Drug Offences in Sari

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Sari Central Prison on 5 October 2025. His identity has been established as 42-year-old Erfan Afzali from Rasht who worked in letting holiday properties prior to his arrest. He was sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

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

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2024 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 503 people were executed for drug-related charges, of which only under 3% were announced by official sources. 17% of all drug-related executions in 2024 were Baluch minorities while they represent 2-6% of Iran’s population. At least 517 people were executed for drug-related offences in the first nine months of 2025.