Mohammad Esfandiari Executed for Murder in Borazjan

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Borazjan Prison on October 24. His identity has been established as 25-year-old Mohammad Esfandiari who was sentenced to qisas(retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Quoting a source close to the family, HRANA news agency wrote that the murder had taken place during a fight around five years ago. He was arrested and had served his time at the prison until his execution.

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.