Probable Child Offender Hamid Bakhshayesh Executed in Karaj After 15 Years on Death Row

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, at least one man was executed in Ghezelhesar Prison on 13 December. His identity has been established as Hamid Bakhshayesh who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder.

Hamid was previously transferred to solitary confinement on 27 November but had managed to obtain an extension in his case. He was returned to solitary in preparation for his execution on 12 December and executed the next day.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “Hamid Bakhshayesh was arrested with his two brothers in 2007/2008 (1387) when he was just 16 years old and taken to Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht) Prison. When Rajai Shahr was closed down, he was transferred to Ghezelhesar Prison and finally executed him after 15 years.”

Iran Human Rights has not been able to verify his age through document evidence at the time of writing. Updates will be published once his juvenile offender status has been confirmed.

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.