Hojat Gharebiglu Executed in Zanjan

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Zanjan Central Prison on 9 November. His identity has been established as 62-year-old Hojat Gharebiglu who was sentenced to qisas for murder.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Hojat Gharebiglu was from Ardabil but lived in Tabriz. He worked on a cattle farm with his son prior to arrest. His son fell in love with a girl in the village and because her family didn’t approve, they ran away together. The girl’s two brothers attacked Hojat in retaliation and he shot them with a rifle, causing one of their deaths.”

At the time of writing, his execution has 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, as the plaintiffs, the victim’s family are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.