Ali Alaverdi and Farhang Zakayi Executed for Murder in Shiraz

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were executed in Shiraz Central Prison on January 31. Their identities have been established as Ali Alaverdi and Farhang Zakayi who were sentenced to qisas for murder.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Ali and Farhang were half-brothers from the same mother. They had committed an honour killing three years ago and had been behind bars since.”

At the time of writing, their executions have not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

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.