Prisoner Hanged on Drug Charges

May 28, 2017, 12:37 p.m.

Iran Human Rights (MAY 28 2017): A prisoner was reportedly hanged at Zanjan Prison on the morning of Wednesday May 24 on drug related charges. 

Close sources have identified the prisoner as Abdollah Ghaderzadeh, 34 years old, arrested in 2012 on the charge of possession and trafficking two kilograms of heroin and one kilogram and 200 grams of crystal meth, sentenced to death by the revolutionary court in Zanjan. 

Sources close to Mr. Ghaderzadeh say that the Iranian authorities had promised to commute his death sentence to 30 years in prison. 

Iranian parliament members had formerly requested from the Judiciary to stop drug related executions for at least five thousand prisoners pending further investigation. However, the request has not stopped the Judiciary from carrying out death sentences for prisoners with drug related charges.