Babak Aslani and Mohsen Asl-Hosseini Executed in Urmia Central Prison

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were executed in Urmia Central Prison on murder charges this morning. Their identities have been established as Babak Aslani and Mohsen Asl-Hosseini.

They were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions along with a third prisoner on July 16.

The third prisoner, Meysam Sadeghi, was returned to his cell after obtaining an extension in his case. Meysam was transferred from the youth ward of the prison.

According to informed sources, ten other prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions at the prison yesterday. Of the ten, six were sentenced to death on drug-related charges and four sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

At the time of writing, neither of their executions have been 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.