Hossein Parsa Transferred for Scheduled Execution on 23 February in Rasht

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for his execution in Rasht Central Prison on February 17. His identity has been established as 22-year-old Hossein Parsa who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Hossein Parsa was arrested on charges of murder during a street fight and his sentence is due to be carried out on February 23.”

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 and no grading, 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.