Siamak Lotfi Executed for Murder in Tabriz

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Tabriz Central Prison on 20 June. His identity has been established as Siamak Lotfi who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Human Rights in Iran which first reported news of his execution, stated that Siamak was a father of one and had been arrested around four years ago.

Despite more than a week passing, his execution has not been reported by domestic  media or officials in Iran.

According to the 2022 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 582 people were executed in Iran. Of those, 288 were executed for murder charges.

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.