Three Prisoners Executed for Drug Offenses - 2 of them hanged on Christmas Day

Iran Human Rights (DEC 28 2016): On Sunday December 25, at least two prisoners were reportedly executed at Arak Central Prison. This morning, a prisoner was reportedly executed at Tabriz Central Prison.

According to the human rights news agency HRANA, on the morning of Sunday December 25, at least two prisoners on death row for drug offenses were executed at Arak Central Prison.

HRANA has identified the two prisoners as Valiallah Rashnov and Ghodrat Ebrahimi. Mr. Rashnov was reportedly sentenced to death for posession and trafficking an unknown amount of narcotics while Mr. Ebrahimi was sentenced to death for posession and trafficking three kilograms of heroin.

According to HRANA's report, Mr. Rahsnov and Mr. Ebrahimi were transferred to solitary confinement along with another prisoner in preparation for their executions. However, there is no information available at this time on the identity or situation of the other prisoner.

HRANA also reports on another drug related execution that was carried out on the morning of Wednesday December 28 at Tabriz Central Prison. The prisoner, Rashid Javadi, was reportedly sentenced to death for possession and trafficking 106 grams of heroin. According to HRANA, Mr. Javadi had been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for his execution, but he was returned to his cell after he was allegedly granted a stay of execution. However, on Wednesday morning, he was called for execution and hanged.

Iranian official sources, including the Judiciary and the media, have been silent about these three executions.