Unidentified Woman and Sajad Zeinivandnejad Executed for Murder in Boroujerd

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Boroujerd Prison on October 23. His identity has been established as 30-year-old Sajad Zeinivandnejad (pictured) who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Sajad was from the Biranvand tribe and arrested for murder in February 2020 and sentenced to death. Tribe elders have been trying to convince the victim’s family to accept diya in lieu of execution for three months. But the family refused and demanded qisas (retribution). He was transferred for execution earlier this year but his execution was delayed.”

On October 27, an unidentified woman was also executed at the prison. She was reportedly sentenced to qisas for the murder of her husband.

At the time of writing, their executions have 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.

At least 251 including 6 women and 67 Baluch minorities were executed in the first six months of 2022. This is double the number of executions in the same period in 2021 when 117 people were executed.