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

Four Prisoners Hanged on Drug Charges

26 Jan 17
Four Prisoners Hanged on Drug Charges

Iran Human Rights (JAN 26 2017): On the mornings of Monday January 23 and Wednesday January 25, four prisoners were hanged in two different prisons on drug related charges.

According to close sources, at least two prisoners were hanged at Karaj's Ghezel Hesar Prison on January 25 on drug related charges. The prisoners have been identified as Majid Askari and Rahman Nourian. They were reportedly transferred from their prison cells to solitary confinement two days before their execution.

"Majid was arrested six years ago for one kilogram and 100 grams of crystal meth, and he was sentenced to death by the revolutionary court," a source close to Mr. Askari tells Iran Human Rights.

Iran Human Rights had warned about the imminent executions of Mr. Askari and Mr. Nourian.

Close sources also report on two executions which were carried out at Maragheh Prison on January 23 on drug related charges. The prisoners have been identified as Iraj Ghafouri and Hossein Fatemi.

"Iraj Ghafouri was arrested approximately four years and seven months ago for 800 grams of crystal meth and some opium. Hossein Fatemi was also arrested in 2012, he was sentenced to death for the charge of trafficking 500 grams of crystal meth and 700 grams of crack," a close source tells Iran Human Rights.

Executions for drug related charges are increasing in Iran while the Iranian Parliament has proposed a law to limit the use of the death penalty for drug charges. The law must first be approved by Iran's Guardian Council, and it is not clear whether it would 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 a halt to the execution sentences of about five thousand prisoners who are on death row for allegedly committing drug related offenses.