Iran: Another Prisoner Hanged on Drug Charges While Authorities Still Silent

Close sources have identified the prisoner as Mehdi Saki, 38 years of age, arrested in 2013 on the charge of trafficking 15 kilograms of heroin. "Mehdi Saki was held in Mahabad Prison until November 7, 2016 when he was transferred to Miandoab Prison in order for his execution to be carried out," an informed source tells Iran Human Rights. 

Iranian official sources, including the Judiciary and state-run media, have not announced Mehdi Saki's execution.

The execution of prisoners with drug charges continues in Iran while the Iranian Parliament has approved a general plan to amend the law for combating drugs. The Parliament is scheduled to vote on the bill again following a two-week holiday. In the event of the final approval of the plan, the death sentences for many prisoners will be commuted to a prison sentence. 

According to experts, those who are executed in Iran on drug related charges are not the main drug dealers, but individuals who sell drugs as a result of poverty. 

There has been a surge in executions in Iran since the end of Ramadan. Most of the prisoners were executed on drug related charges.