A new wave of executions swept through Iran’s prisons over the past week. According to credible reports, at least nine prisoners were executed in the prisons of Zahedan, Bandar Abbas, Kerman, Karaj Central, Dastgerd Isfahan, Arak, and Ahvaz. This alarming figure comes as, since the beginning of Persian month of Farvardin (March 21, 2025, the Islamic Republic has executed at least 68 prisoners—an average of more than two executions per day, or one every 12 hours.
Execution in Zahedan: Victims from the Baluch Minority
On the morning of Monday, April 14, 2025, Ali Baluchzehi, a prisoner from Saravan, was executed in Zahedan prison on charges of murder. On the same day, Ali Dehani, a conscript soldier at the Kaskin checkpoint in Bampur, was also executed. This was confirmed by the Iranian Human Rights Society.
Three Prisoners Executed in Bandar Abbas
On the morning of Tuesday, April 15, 2025, three prisoners—Eyoub Berniaei (Sarhadi), Karim Esmaeili, and Peiman Naderi—were executed in Bandar Abbas prison. All three were charged with drug-related offenses. Berniaei, a father of two, was from Kerman; Naderi was from Kermanshah; and Esmaeili was from Eslamabad-e Gharb.
Two More Executions in Kerman
On the same day, Abubakr Shahbakhsh from Zahedan and Rahim Rahimnejad from Baneh were also executed in Kerman prison. Both had been arrested and sentenced to death for drug-related crimes.
Two Victims at Karaj Central Prison
Two prisoners, Alifazl Doustiani from Harsin (Kermanshah), and Ali Shahi from Delfan (Lorestan), were executed. Both faced drug-related charges.
Secret Execution in Dastgerd Isfahan Prison
On February 27, 2025, Hassan Mohammadi-Pour, a prisoner accused of moharebeh (waging war against God) through shooting, was secretly executed in Dastgerd prison, Isfahan. His family remained unaware of his fate for a long time after the execution.
Execution of a Juvenile in Arak
One of the most shocking cases was the execution of Mehdi Motavalli in Arak Central Prison. He was under 18 years old at the time of his arrest and was still a student when he was detained for murder. After spending three years in prison, he was executed. This act blatantly violates the Islamic Republic’s international obligations regarding children’s rights and the prohibition of executing individuals under the age of 18.
Execution in Ahvaz: A Family Tragedy Repeats
Ebrahim Memari, from Abadan, was executed on April 9, 2025, in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz, on murder charges. Two of his brothers had previously been executed in 2008 in Dizel Abad Prison, Kermanshah, for drug-related offenses.
