/ IHRights#Iran: Hossein Amaninejad and Hamed Yavari were executed in Hamedan Central Prison on 11 June. Hossein was arrested… https://t.co/3lnMTwFH6z13 Jun

Prisoner Executed on Drug Charges

16 Dec 16
Prisoner Executed on Drug Charges

Iran Human Rights (DEC 16 2016): A prisoner sentenced to death on drug related charges was reportedly executed at Bandar Abbas Central Prison (Hormozgan province, southern Iran) on Thursday December 15, according to close sources.

Close sources identify the prisoner as 39-year-old Behzad Salimkord. About four years ago, Mr. Salimkord was sentenced to death by branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Bandar Abbas for the charge of possessing and trafficking two kilograms of crystal meth and 250 grams of opium. 

Mr. Salimkord was reportedly transferred to solitary confinement two days ago in preparation for his execution, and was permitted a visit with his wife and two young children.

"Behzad worked in a brick factory for eleven years to pay off the house we lived in. He eventually lost his job and we weren't able to pay for the house for three months, so he went to Bandar Abbas to find work. Behzad said that the drugs he was charged for weren't his. Behzad didn't even smoke cigarettes. He hated drugs. Nonetheless, they executed him on drug charges," says a relative of Mr. Salimkord.

Iranian official sources, including the media and Judiciary, have been silent on Behzad Salimkord's execution.

Iran Human Rights (IHR) has received reports from local sources about the execution of two other prisoners at Bandar Abbas Central Prison this week. However, IHR has not been able to confirm these reports at this time.

Secret executions for drug related charges continue in Iran even though the Iranian Parliament recently passed a law to want to limit the use of the death penalty for drug charges. The law has to be approved by Iran's Guardian Council, and it is not clear whether it will actually lead to a reduction in the number of drug related executions. Additionally, members of parliament recently wrote a letter to the head of the Judiciary calling for the execution of about five thousand prisoners sentenced to death on drug related charges to be quashed pending investigation into their charges.