Afghan National Jilan Nourzehi Executed for Murder in Kerman

According to Hal Vash, an Afghan national was executed in Kerman Central Prison on the morning of June 23. His identity has been reported as Jilan Nourzehi who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

The report cites an informed source as saying: “The victim who was from Afghanistan, was Jilan’s friend. He attacked Jilan with a knife when he was drunk but was stabbed himself and died from the blood loss.”

At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

According to data gathered by Iran Human Rights, at least 183 people were executed on murder charges in 2021. Those charged with the umbrella term of “intentional murder” are sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) regardless of intent or circumstances due to a lack of grading in law. Once a defendant has been convicted, the victim’s family are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.