Iran Human Rights, July 18: Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin, west of Tehran, yesterday morning July 17.

In a press conference after the executions, the prosecuter of Qazvin, Sadeghi Niaraki, told the media that the three prisoners were all convicted of drug-related offences. According to official website of the Iranian judiciary in Qazvin, Sadeghi said: "One of those executed was single and 32 year old, convicted of keeping and carrying 5 kilograms of crack, the other person was single 35 year old charged with carrying and buying 474 grams of Shisheh, and the third person was married, 40 year old from Tabriz convicted of keeping 515 grams of heroin, 30 cg shisheh and 5 grams of hashish".

Quoting Sadeghi, the Iranian broadcasting IRIBB reported that so far this year (since MArch 20, 2012) 1507 individuals, among them 1471 men and 36 women, have been arrested in relation with buying and selling narcotic drugs in Qazvin province.

Nine prisoners have been executed in the last 10 days in Qazvin.

More than 80% of those executed in Iran are convicted of drug-related charges. According to IHR’s annual report on the death penaltyin Iran, abpout 90% of those executed for drug trafficking are not identified by name and there are several reports on unfair trials and confessions under pressure.