Abdolreza Ghalavand Executed and Man Whipped for Alcohol Consumption in Ahvaz

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz on 21 August. His identity has been established as 29-year-old Abdolreza Ghalavand from Andimeshk who was a father of two.

Informed sources told Iran Human Rights: “Abdolreza was arrested for being in possession of 80 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamines when he was arrested ten years ago. He was transferred for execution to Sepidar Prison from Sheiban Prison. He had a last visit with his family the day prior.”

“After his execution was carried out, another prisoner was whipped 80 times in the yard behind Ward 5 of the prison. He was sentenced to the 80 lashes for drinking alcohol,” the source added.

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

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year for the past three years. At least 206 people were executed for drug-related charges in the first six months of 2023, a 126% rise compared to the same period in 2022 when 91 were executed. 40 people were executed in the same period in 2021.

The number of drug executions dramatically dropped in 2018 following a 2017 Amendment to the Anti-Narcotics Laws. Consequently, drug executions ranged between 24-30 per annum between 2018-2020. The Amendment was reversed in practice in 2021 when executions increased ten-fold to 126 in 2021 and doubled again in 2022 with 256 drug-related executions.