On one of the darkest days of May 2025, at least nine prisoners were executed in various prisons across Iran. These executions, which included one woman, took place in the prisons of Arak, Gorgan, Qezel Hesar, Isfahan, Shahroud, and Zahedan. Evidence suggests that the pace of executions in May has intensified to an unprecedented level, with the number of executions this month reaching 96 so far.
Executions in Arak Prison
On the morning of Monday, May 12, 2025, two prisoners—Mohammad Abdi and Nemat Piri Zali—were executed in Arak prison on drug-related charges.
Mohammad Abdi, a native and resident of Arak, was married and the father of one child.
Nemat Piri Zali was also married and reportedly from Delfan County.
On the same day, Jalil Azizi, another inmate in the same prison with similar charges, was also executed.
Execution of Three Prisoners in Gorgan
In Gorgan prison, three prisoners—Mahbubeh Khosronejad, Firooz Aliyari, and Safa Qarehdashi—were executed on charges of murder.
Mahbubeh Khosronejad, the only woman among the executed, had been arrested five years ago.
Safa Qarehdashi, a 25-year-old from Aq Qala, and Firooz Aliyari, a resident of Gorgan, had each been in custody for over four years.
Secret Executions in Qezel Hesar
Mehran Nasri-Zar and Kourosh Jalili, two other prisoners sentenced to death for murder, were executed in Qezel Hesar prison in Karaj.
According to reports, these executions were carried out without informing the families or allowing a final visit, constituting what is known as a secret execution.
Other Executions Across the Country
- In Isfahan: Mahmoud Hojjatzadeh, 35 years old and from Torbat Heydarieh, was executed for drug-related offenses.
- In Shahroud: The executed prisoner has been identified as Alireza Sedighi, who was executed a day earlier.
- In Zahedan: Mohammad Ali Miri (Mir-Balouchzehi) and Fereydoun Mohammadi were executed on charges of murder.
- In Tabriz: Payam Mokhtari, a resident of Maragheh, was executed.
- In Mianeh and Shahroud: Two more prisoners were executed for sexual assault; one of them remains unidentified.
