More than 5 Prisoners Transferred for Execution in Rajai Shahr Prison

According to Iran Human Rights, on Monday, 1st February, more than five prisoners, all of whom appear to have been sentenced to qisas for “premeditated murder,” were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions in Rajai Shahr Prison.

Some sources have estimated the number of prisoners to be as high as twelve people. The identities of two of the prisoners have been established as Milad Tajik, around 23 years old and Mohammad Chezani.

Per Iranian law, in cases of qisas, the victim’s family can consent to spare the defendant from death by opting to forgive them or set a diya (blood money) amount. The death sentences of these prisoners are due to be carried out on Wednesday morning unless any manage to obtain consent from their respective victims’ families.

According to Iran Human Rights’ annual report, at least 225 of the 280 of those executed in 2019 were charged with "premeditated murder."

As there are no legal distinctions made between murder and manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary in Iran, those charged under the umbrella term of “premeditated murder” will receive the death penalty regardless of intent and the circumstances.