Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 27, 2022: There has been a spike in executions in Iranian prisons in the last ten days. According to Iran Human Rights’ statistics department, at least 26 people were executed in different cities in the last ten days. The rise in executions comes at a time when protests have been taking place across Iran.
Expressing concern about the significant rise in executions, Iran Human Rights notes the correlation between execution numbers and political events and hikes during popular protests in its previous analytical reports. This demonstrates that Islamic Republic officials use the death penalty as a means of creating fear in society.
Iran Human Rights Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “While most of those executed were charged with ordinary crimes like murder and drug offences, the authorities use the death penalty as a political tool. The executions are carried out with the aim of suppressing dissent and preserving power. The abolition of the death penalty must therefore be at the forefront of popular demands.”
According to statistics collected by Iran Human Rights, at least 26 people, including two women, were executed between 17-27 May 2022 in cities across Iran.
The executions took place in 11 different provinces. Of the 26, eight were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison, three in Minab Prison, three in Amol Prison, two in Zahedan Central Prison and two in Shiraz Central Prison. One person was executed in Birjand Central Prison, Qom Central Prison, Karaj Penitentiary, Isfahan Central Prison, Shirvan Prison, Mashhad Central Prison, Qarchak Prison and Zanjan Central Prison.
According to the statistics, seven Baluch men were executed on drug-related charges in Zahedan, Birjand, Minab and Shiraz Prisons.
Of the 26 executions, 13 were executed for murder (qisas as retribution), 12 for drug-related offences and one person was charged with moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery.