Baluch Rasoul Narouyi Executed in Kahnuj

According to Hal Vash, a Baluch man was executed in Kahnuj Prison on 21 August. His identity has been reported as 29-year-old Rasoul Narouyi who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

He was arrested around four years ago. He was transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for his execution along with another prisoner named Mehdi Bameri the day prior to execution. 28-year-old Mehdi Bameri who is also on death row for murder, was returned to his cell after being granted a two-month extension by the plaintiffs.

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

Ethnic minorities, the Baluch in particular, are grossly overrepresented in execution numbers in Iran. In 2022, at least 174 Baluch minorities including 3 women, were executed in 22 prisons across Iran, making up 30% of overall executions. This is while they represent just 2-6% of Iran’s population. Furthermore, in the first six months of 2023, 20% of the at least 354 executions were Baluch people.

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, as the plaintiffs, are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.