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

13 Men at Imminent Risk of Execution in Urmia Central Prison

18 Jul 21
13 Men at Imminent Risk of Execution in Urmia Central Prison

Iran Human Rights (IHR); July 18, 2021: Ten more men have been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions in Urmia Central Prison. Six of them were sentenced to death on drug-related charges and four on murder charges. IHR previously reported the transfer of three other men for execution at the prison who are all on death row for murder.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, ten men were transferred from Wards 14 and 15 of Urmia Central Prison to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions on the afternoon of July 17. Of the ten, six were sentenced to death on drug-related charges and four sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

IHR previously reported that three other men were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions at the prison on July 16.

Executions have intensified across Iranian prisons in recent days, the majority of which are not reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

According to Iran Human Rights’ Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 211 of the 267 people executed in 2020 were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for "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.