At least 10 Inmates Executed in Iran Over Two Days

The Iranian authorities executed at least 10 prisoners over the past two days, a human rights group says, as the country’s clerical rulers are increasingly using capital punishment. 

According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights Organization, Ayoub Karimi, a Kurdish prisoner who spent 14 years in prison, was executed early on November 29 in Karaj’s Ghezelhesar prison, near Tehran.

Six other inmates, whose names were not disclosed, were hanged at the same prison on the same day, according to the group.

Qasem Abasteh, a co-defendant in Karimi’s murder case, was executed earlier this month. Five other co-accused are facing imminent execution. 

They were convicted by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges including "action against national security," "propaganda against the system," "membership in Salafist groups" and "corruption on Earth."

Also on November 29, the death sentence of another man was carried out in Khorramabad Central Prison, Lorestan province. 

The executed prisoner, identified as Morad Beiranvand, had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

The previous day, at least two inmates named Mohsen Amraei and Iqbal Fathullahi were executed in Ghezelhesar prison after they were sentenced to capital punishment on similar charges.

The two men had been transferred to solitary confinement on November 27 along with three other individuals slated for execution. 

According to the UN, the Islamic Republic executed at least 419 individuals in the first seven months of the year – a 30 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Iran has seen a dramatic surge in executions following the eruption of nationwide protests in September 2022, with human rights activists saying the authorities are seeking to spread fear among the population.

Rights groups say many judgments are rushed through the judiciary while grossly unfair trials and forced confessions are routine.