Iran Human Rights (IHR); July 6, 2021: At least two prisoners sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder were executed in Zahedan Central Prison.
According to Hrana news agency, a Baluch man was executed in Zahedan Central Prison on July 5. He was identified as Edris Gargij (Arbabzehi) who was sentenced to qisas for murder.
Another Baluch prisoner was executed at the prison on June 26. 33-year-old Hashem Torabi had also been sentenced to qisas for murder. Hashem had spent around seven years behind bars at Zahedan Central Prison.
At the time of writing, neither of their executions have been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
According to Iran Human Rights’ Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 211 of the 267 people executed in 2020 were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for "premeditated murder."
As there are no legal distinctions made between murder and manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary in Iran, those charged under the umbrella term of “premeditated murder” will receive the death penalty regardless of intent and the circumstances.