Group of Men Transferred for Execution in Rajai Shahr Prison

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a number of men were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions over the past two days. The death row prisoners in Rajai Shahr Prison seem to have all been sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder and are scheduled to be executed on Wednesday if they are unable to obtain extensions or forgiveness from their victim’s next of kin.

According to unconfirmed reports, their number may be higher than ten.

At the time of writing, only one of the men’s identities has been established as Hamed Azizi.

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.