Shahin Mahdavikia Executed for Rape in Mahabad

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Mahabad Prison in West Azerbaijan province on 20 February 2025. His identity has been established as 29-year-old Shahin Mahdavikia (Jalali) who was sentenced to death for rape charges by the Criminal Court.

Informed sources told IHRNGO that the victim in the case had committed suicide six months after the crime.

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

In cases of rape, there is a high chance of defendants being tortured to make false confessions, which is used to issue death sentences. In Iran is one of the few countries in the world that issues the death penalty for rape. A lot of cases are also rushed without the defendants having access to a lawyer.

According to the 2024 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 22 people were executed for rape charges across 10 prisons.