In a disturbing escalation of human rights violations, Iranian authorities have carried out a surge of executions in recent days, underscoring the country’s continued reliance on capital punishment. Reports indicate that from Saturday, November 23, to Thursday, November 28, 2024, at least 27 prisoners have been executed across various prisons in Iran, marking an alarming rate of one execution every 3.5 hours over three days.
Wave of Executions Across the Country
On Thursday, November 28, authorities executed Hadi Ghiyasi, a resident of Nahavand, in Nahavand Prison. Ghiyasi, who was convicted on drug-related charges, had spent four years in prison before facing the gallows. On the same day, six other prisoners were hanged across the country:
Amin Maleki, Mehdi Shirvani, and Fardin Abdollahi in Shiraz, Mohammad Ali in Qazvin, Davood Mohammadi (33) and Osman Dahmardeh (26) in Yazd.
The previous day, Wednesday, November 27, witnessed the execution of seven prisoners:
Reza Shirzehi (21), who was only 17 at the time of his alleged crime, alongside Hamed Pakdel and two unnamed prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Morteza Pashapouri in Tabriz, Hadi Ghiyami in Nahavand, Davood Rajabi (30) in Qom’s Central Prison.
On Tuesday, November 26, five prisoners were executed in separate facilities:
Jahangir Rahimi in Saqqez, Ehsan Valiabadi (30) in Karaj Central Prison, Farhad Khosravi Sadkharou in Gorgan, Jafar Mirzaghassemi (35) in Zanjan, Jamshid Taherkhani in Qazvin.
On Monday, November 25, nine prisoners were hanged, though the identities of only six were released. Among them were:
Reza Shahbazi and Nezamoddin Noor-al-Haq (27) in Shiraz, Amirhossein Rahimi and Ali Rostami in Isfahan, Hassan Karimi in Saveh, Alireza Nourian in Mashhad.
On Sunday, November 24, five prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison. The preceding days also saw executions in various provinces.
Neglect Leading to Death in Custody
In addition to the alarming number of executions, negligence by prison authorities has led to further loss of life. On Sunday, November 24, a prisoner at Karaj Central Prison died after falling from a bunk bed. Despite being severely injured, officials delayed his transfer to a hospital for several days. The prisoner was only taken to the prison infirmary when his condition deteriorated and died shortly thereafter.
A Grim Record of Human Rights Violations
Iran’s justice system, notorious for its lack of transparency and fairness, continues to impose the death penalty at an unprecedented rate. Many of the executed individuals faced allegations of crimes committed as juveniles or were convicted in trials criticized for failing to meet international legal standards.
The latest surge in executions highlights the urgent need for international intervention.
The international community must act decisively to hold the Iranian authorities accountable for their actions and to stand in solidarity with the victims and their families.
