Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 15 May 2026: Reza Soleimani, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Qom Central Prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Qom Central Prison on 13 May 2026. His identity has been established as Reza Soleimani, a 56-year-old father of three from Karaj. He was arrested for carrying round 50 kilograms of narcotics around two years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.
At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2025 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 795 people were executed for drug-related charges, of which only 0.18% were announced by official sources. 13% of all drug-related executions in 2025 were Baluch minorities while they represent 2-6% of Iran’s population.