Since the beginning of Khordad (May-June) 1404, at least 20 prisoners have been executed. The number of executions in Ordibehesht (April-May) 1404, with 170 prisoners executed, marks the highest execution rate in recent years.
Iran Human Rights Society, Monday, May 26, 2025 – At least 14 prisoners were executed in the prisons of Kermanshah, Damghan, Birjand, Kahnuj, Shiraz, Borujerd, and Zahedan. This brings the number of executions in the month of Khordad (May-June) 1404 to at least 20 prisoners. The month of Ordibehesht (April-May) 1404 recorded 170 executions, marking the highest execution rate in recent years.
Execution of Yaser Jalilian in Kermanshah Prison
On the morning of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Yaser Jalilian was executed in Kermanshah Prison. He had previously been arrested and sentenced to death on murder charges.
Execution of Setareh Taherlou in Damghan Prison
On the morning of Monday, May 19, 2025, Setareh Taherlou was executed in Damghan Prison. She had been arrested three years prior on drug-related charges and sentenced to death.
Execution of Rahman Khodakarami in Shiraz Prison
On the morning of Sunday, May 25, 2025, Rahman Khodakarami, 29, from Kazerun, was executed in Shiraz Prison. He had been arrested three years earlier on drug-related charges and sentenced to death.
Execution of Hessam Farhadi in Borujerd Prison
On the morning of Saturday, May 24, 2025, Hessam Farhadi, 33, from Borujerd, was executed in Borujerd Prison. He had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death.
Execution of Mahmoud Shirvani in Kahnuj Prison
On the morning of Sunday, May 25, 2025, Mahmoud Shirvani, a resident of Kahnuj, was executed in Kahnuj Prison. He had been arrested and sentenced to death on murder charges.
Execution of 8 Prisoners, Including 3 Women, in Birjand Prison
On the morning of Monday, May 26, 2025, eight prisoners, including five men and three women, were executed in Birjand Prison. One of the executed prisoners was Hamid Shirzayi, also known as Amanollah, 39, son of Gholamali, married, father of 10 children, originally from Zahedan and residing in Gorgan. His execution was carried out without a final family visit. The identities of the other prisoners are still under investigation.
Execution of Zabihollah Sarani in Zahedan Prison
On the morning of Monday, May 26, 2025, Zabihollah Sarani, 29, son of Mousa, married with two children, a resident of Adimi in Zabol County, was executed in Zahedan Prison. He had been arrested in 2021 on murder charges and sentenced to death.
Conflict of Death Penalty with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly states: “Everyone has the right to life.” This right cannot be deprived except through a verdict issued by a competent court for a crime recognized as such under the law. The death penalty, as the ultimate punishment, directly contradicts this article because:
Right to Life: The right to life is presented as a fundamental and inalienable right. The death penalty deprives individuals of this right.
Irreversibility: Once a death sentence is carried out, judicial errors cannot be rectified.
Torture and Inhuman Treatment: Certain methods of execution are considered torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, violating the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Violation of Human Rights Obligations Regarding the Death Penalty
Under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory, the issuance and execution of the death penalty are only permissible with full guarantees of a fair trial and for the most serious crimes. In many similar cases, lack of transparency, restrictions on defendants’ legal rights, and rulings issued by courts lacking independence violate this fundamental human rights principle.
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