Esmail Ghassabi Executed for Murder in Isfahan

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed on murder charges in Isfahan Central Prison on the morning of October 11. His identity has been established as 35-year-old Esmail Ghassabi.

Informed sources told Iran Human Rights: “Esmail Ghassabi was arrested for murder over financial disputes in the autumn of 2018 and sentenced to qisas.”

At the time of writing, his execution has not 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.