Prisoner Arash Varesi Executed in Zanjan; Fate of Brother Unknown

According to Iran Human Rights, at least one male prisoner was executed in Zanjan Central Prison on the morning of March 14. The prisoner whose identity has been established as 35 year-old Bijar native, Arash Varesi, who had been sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Arash Varesi and his brother, Nejat, 31, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions on March 12. They had their last visit with their family at 3pm that afternoon.

An informed source told IHR: “Arash and Nejat were arrested on murder charges in 2010. While they were trying to prepare their sister’s dowry, they got into a fight with someone who owed them 8 million Tomans and killed him with a stone. They executed Arash on Sunday morning. But they kept Nejat, it’s not clear what fate awaits him.”

At the time of writing, Arash Varesi’s execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

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.