2024: A Bloodstained Year for Human Rights in Iran

2024: The Dictatorship’s Attempt to Silence Protests Through the Gallows

According to statistics and information recorded by the Iran Human Rights
Society (IHRS), the year 2024 will go down in Iran’s history as one of the
darkest years under the religious dictatorship. The figures on executions and
repression have set new records.

In 2024, the number of executions exceeded 1,000. With 75% of all executions
in the world, Iran ranks first globally. More than 1,000 executions in 86 prisons
across 31 provinces—including 34 women, 7 juvenile offenders (under 18 at
the time of the alleged crime), 119 Baluch citizens, 129 Kurdish citizens, 83
Afghan nationals, 4 public executions, and 12 political prisoners—depict the
darkness of a regime founded on the spilling of its citizens’ blood.

As the regime’s crises intensified, executions reached a peak; 47% of these
executions occurred in the final three months of the year. This coincided with
the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, where Khamenei’s strategic
depth, sustained by billions of dollars, also collapsed.

Execution of Juvenile Offenders

1. Ramin Saadat: 20 years old, executed on May 19, 2024 (29 Ordibehesht
   1403), on murder charges in Miandoab Prison. He was under 18 at the
   time of arrest.
2. Marjan Haji Nejad: 19 years old, executed on April 12, 2024 (23
   Farvardin 1403), on drug charges alongside her husband in Zanjan
   Central Prison. She was unaware that her husband was carrying drugs
   in the car.
3. Mehdi Jahanpour: 21 years old, executed on September 17, 2024 (26
   Shahrivar 1403), on murder charges in Shiraz Central Prison.
4. Mehdi Barahouyi: 21 years old, Baluch; executed on October 10, 2024
   (18 Mehr 1403), on murder charges in Zahedan Central Prison.
5. Soleiman Abbaspour: 21 years old, executed on November 3, 2024 (12
   Aban 1403), on murder charges in Zanjan Central Prison.
6. Reza Shirzehi: 21 years old, executed on November 28, 2024 (7 Azar
   1403), on murder charges in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
7. Esmaeil Barkazayi: 18 years old, Afghan; executed on November 29,
   2024 (8 Azar 1403), on murder charges in Yazd Prison.

Political Prisoners Execution

1. Davoud Abdollahi: Kurdish; executed on January 2, 2024 (12 Dey 1402)
   after 15 years in prison, on “political murder” charges in Ghezel Hesar
   Prison. He was a co-defendant with Ghasem Abesteh, Eyoub Karimi,
   Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Khosrow Basharat, and Farhad Salimi.
2. Mohammad Ghobadlou: 23 years old; executed on January 23, 2025, on charges of killing law enforcement officers.
3. Farhad Salimi: Executed on January 23, 2024, after 15
   years in prison, on “political murder” charges.
   He was a co-defendant with Ghasem Abesteh, Eyoub Karimi, Anvar
   Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Khosrow Basharat, and Davoud Abdollahi.
4. Anvar Khezri: Executed on May 2, 2024, after 15
   years in prison, on “political murder” charges in Ghezel Hesar.
   He was a co-defendant with the same group above.
5. Khosrow Basharat: 40 years old; executed on May 16, 2024 (26
   Ordibehesht 1403) after 15 years in prison, on “political murder”
   charges in Ghezel Hesar Prison. He also a co-defendant with the
   same group.
6. Edris Jamshid: Executed on July 15, 2024, on charges of
   punishing a Basij commander in 2017 (1396), in Zahedan.
7. Danial Kazeminejad: 30 years old; executed on July 22, 2024, on charges of punishing an IRGC member in Kermanshah.
8. Kamran Sheikheh: 40 years old; executed on July 26, 2024, on “political murder” charges,
   Also, a co-defendant with the same group.
9. Reza Rasaei: 35 years old; executed on August 7, 2024, on charges of punishing the head of intelligence in Sahneh during
   2022 uprising, in Kermanshah.
10. Jamshid Sharmahd: 67-year-old Iranian-German dual national.
    executed on October 29, 2024, on charges of forming the
    “Tondar Group” and espionage, in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
11. Rahim Barin: Executed on December 21, 2024, on
    charges of killing a police after serving 19 years in Mahabad
    Prison.
12. (Name) Azizi: Executed on December 23, 2024, in
    Naqadeh, on charges of membership in Kurdish groups.

Execution of Women (part one)

Note on “Unnamed Woman”: In 2024, a total of 34 women were executed. In
cases where the individual’s name or other details could not be confirmed,
they are listed as “Unnamed Woman” or “Unknown Identity.”

1. Hajar Atabaki: 41 years old; executed on January 20, 2024 (30 Dey
   1402), on drug-related charges in Qazvin Prison.
2. Zahra Nazarian: 27 years old; executed on January 31, 2024 (11
   Bahman 1402), on murder charges in Sabzevar.
3. Unnamed Woman: Executed on March 18, 2024 (28 Esfand 1402), on
   drug-related charges in Tabriz Prison.
4. Marjan Haji Nejad (also a juvenile offender): 19 years old; executed on
   April 12, 2024, on drug-related charges alongside
   her husband in Zanjan Central Prison.
5. Sorayya Mohammadi: Executed on April 25, 2024 (5 Ordibehesht
   1403), on murder charges in Ghezel Hesar.
6. Unnamed Woman: Executed on May 1, 2024 (11 Ordibehesht 1403), on
   drug-related charges in Birjand Central Prison.
7. Fariba Mohammadzehi: 33-year-old Baluch prisoner; executed on May
   9, 2024 (19 Ordibehesht 1403), on drug-related charges in Kerman
   Central Prison.
8. Razieh (Last Name Unknown): Executed on May 16, 2024 (26
   Ordibehesht 1403), on murder charges in Mashhad Central Prison.
9. Fatemeh Abdollahi: 27 years old; executed on May 19, 2024 (29
   Ordibehesht 1403), on murder charges in Nishabur Prison.
10. Parvin Mousavi: 53 years old; executed on May 19, 2024 (29
    Ordibehesht 1403), on drug-related charges in Urmia Central Prison.
    She had cancer while in prison and was executed in that condition.
11. (First Name Unknown) Mahmoudinia: Executed on July 21, 2024
    (30 Tir 1403), on murder charges in Shiraz Central Prison.
    12–14. Three Women (Identities Unknown): Executed on July 24, 2024
    (2 Mordad 1403), on drug-related charges in Birjand Central Prison.
12. Unnamed Woman: Executed on July 28, 2024 (6 Mordad 1403), in
    Khorramabad Central Prison (charges unclear).

Execution of Women (part 2)

13. Akhtar Ghorbanlou: Executed on October 2, 2024 (10 Mehr
    1403), on murder charges in Ahvaz Prison. She had been a child bride.
14. Leila Ghaemi: Executed on October 3, 2024 (11 Mehr 1403), on
    murder charges in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
15. Zahra Feyzi: 41 years old; executed on October 3, 2024 (11 Mehr
    1403), on murder charges in Tabriz Central Prison.
16. Unnamed Woman: Executed on October 17, 2024 (25 Mehr
    1402), on drug-related charges in Hamedan Central Prison.
17. Nasrin Firoozi: Executed on October 21, 2024 (29 Mehr 1403), on
    murder charges in Tabriz Central Prison.
18. Unnamed Woman: Executed on November 8, 2024 (17 Aban
    1403), on murder charges in Lakan (Rasht) Prison.
19. Mahrakh Khani: 35 years old; executed on November 11, 2024
    (20 Aban 1403), on drug-related charges in Tabriz Central Prison.
20. Unnamed Woman: Executed on November 14, 2024 (23 Aban
    1403), on murder charges in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
21. Fariba Maleki Shahivand: Executed on November 25, 2024 (4
    Azar 1403), on murder charges in Parsilon Prison, Khorramabad.
22. Farkhondeh Allah Moradi: 50 years old; executed on December
    2, 2024 (11 Azar 1403), on murder charges in Dastgerd (Isfahan) Prison.
23. Farideh Jafarzadeh: 50 years old; executed on December 3, 2024
    (12 Azar 1403), on murder charges in Ilam Central Prison.
24. Aliyeh Kavari Zadeh: 60 years old; executed on December 3,
    2024 (12 Azar 1403), on murder charges in Ilam Central Prison.
25. Ameneh Alipour: 37 years old; executed on December 8, 2024
    (17 Azar 1403), on murder charges in Zanjan Central Prison.
26. Mahboubeh (Last Name Unknown): Executed on December 16,
    2024 (25 Azar 1403), on murder charges in Yazd Prison.
27. Efat Hamedi: 35 years old; executed on December 18, 2024 (27
    Azar 1403), on murder charges in Sari Prison.

Public Executions

1. Amir Reza Ajami Akrami: Executed on August 27, 2024 (5 Shahrivar
   1403), on murder charges, in public in Shahroud.
2. Reza Rashno Sadeghi: 37 years old, from Andimeshk; executed on
   October 1, 2024 (9 Mehr 1403), on charges of killing a police officer on
   the road, in public in Khomein.
3. Haji Kaboudvand: From Borujerd; executed on October 1, 2024 (9 Mehr
   1403), on charges of killing a police officer on the road, in public in
   Khomein.
4. Mohammad Ali Salamat: Executed on November 13, 2024 (22 Aban
   1403), on rape charges, in public at Hamedan Central Prison.

2024 Execution Statistics by Charge

As shown in these statistics, the highest number of executions over 50% was
for drug offenses. This is controlled by the mafia under the IRGC’s command.
While the IRGC and other repressive agencies produce and distribute
narcotics, hundreds of prisoners are executed on drug charges.

Close behind drug-related charges is murder. Murder reflects a grim social
reality directly linked to the severe poverty gripping most of the population.

Currently, over 80% of people live below the poverty line, struggling day and
night to survive. In a society where the breadwinner may sell an eye’s cornea
or a kidney just to buy food, the conditions for murder inevitably emerge. For
example:
Of the 34 women executed in 2024, at least 18 faced murder charges, 9 were
executed on drug charges, and 6 remain unknown.

Nationalities of Those Executed

As in the past, in 2024 the most executions targeted ethnic minorities under
oppression:

• Kurds executed: 129
• Baluch executed: 121
• Afghan nationals executed: 83

Executions by Province

Prisons With Executions in 2024

At least 86 prisons across 31 provinces witnessed executions in 2024. Ghezel
Hesar Prison, with at least 165 executions (roughly 17% of the total), had the
highest number. Other prisons with large numbers included:

• Shiraz: 97 (about 10%)
• Isfahan: 65
• Tabriz: 59
  (each accounting for about 6% of the total).
• Karaj Central Prison: 44
• Qazvin: 40
• Mashhad: 33
  …and so on.
  In 25 prisons, the number of executions was in double digits, and in 61
  prisons, it was single digits.

Campaigns of Hope Amid Repression: Ceaseless Struggle Against
Executions in Iranian Prisons

Despite intensified crackdowns and executions in prisons, resistance and the
defense of human rights continues. The “No to Executions on Tuesdays”
campaign, initiated by political prisoners in Ghezel Hesar at the start of 2024,
has since spread to 28 prisons across the country.

Every Tuesday, inmates go on hunger strike to amplify their protest against executions as an inhumane
punishment. This campaign has continued for 50 consecutive weeks and is
expanding. With support from inside and outside the country, it aims to
eradicate the death penalty in Iran.

In their 49th statement, issued at the end of 2024, they declared:
“Silence in the face of such atrocities is a form of complicity.”
Although calls to stop executions have grown, the regime has only ramped up
the crackdown. Recently, the judiciary allowed for anesthetizing limbs (hands
and feet) for theft and moharebeh defendants, seeking to normalize these
violent measures. Many of the accused are victims of systemic corruption,
class discrimination, and colossal embezzlement by regime elites.

Continuation the crackdowns, by the misogynistic regime

Continuing its crackdowns, the misogynistic regime has sentenced several
women in Qarchak Prison to “stoning” for alleged “illicit relationships.” Even
the mildest alternative would be replacing stoning with hanging. We believe
remaining silent about such barbarity is tantamount to supporting it; we must
stand against this cruelty.

Executions have become a daily occurrence

Executions have become a daily occurrence in different prisons—at least 41
people in the first 10 days of the month of Dey, with 23 executed in just 3 days.
Many death-row inmates have been transferred to solitary confinement for
imminent execution.

Political prisoner Mojahed Korkor, incarcerated for over two years, once had
his death sentence overturned by the Supreme Court, but it has been
reinstated in a parallel Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz, placing his life in serious
danger.

Meanwhile, the few independent attorneys who defend political prisoners and
those on death row face intense pressure from the regime. Many have been
jailed merely for defending their clients. These courageous lawyers deserve
our support.

The campaign received widespread backing inside and outside Iran.

In recent days, the campaign has received widespread backing from activists
inside and outside Iran. We deeply appreciate all the support and believe that
opposition to capital punishment must be universal opposing every execution
and supporting all detainees on death row.

The “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign, condemning the regime’s
oppressive actions as blatant human-rights violations, urges all activists to
stand up to repression and execution in Iran. We call on the people of Iran and
prison inmates to back this campaign and join it. Through solidarity and unity,
we can uproot executions and build a society free from violence and capital
punishment.

Let us not forget that the officials and agents behind these
executions, killings, and crackdowns are among the worst criminals against
humanity and must be held accountable before the people. Undoubtedly,
many of these atrocities arise from tyrannical rulers who have seized power
for their own gain and war against any form of freedom and equality.

Continuation of weekly hunger strike on Tuesday

Members of the “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign will begin their
49th weekly hunger strike on Tuesday, January 1, 2025 (11 Dey 1403), in the
following 28 prisons:

Tuesday, January 1, 2025
Iran Human Rights Society (IHRS)

Home – Iran HRS

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