Iran Human Rights (IHR); September 27, 2021: An unidentified man who was sentenced to death on charges of “moharebeh (enmity against god), disturbing public security and murder”, has been executed for moharebeh in Karaj Central Prison.
According to Iran newspaper, an unnamed man was executed on moharebeh charges in Karaj Central Prison on the morning of September 22. He had been sentenced to “moharebeh (enmity against god), disturbing public security and murder."
He had committed armed robbery from a gold shop in the Pishahangi area of Karaj in 2016, and had killed a bystander when he shot into the crowd during his arrest. He was sentenced to death following his trial at the Alborz courts. He had also killed another prisoner with a hand-made knife while behind bars.
The victim was in prison on drug-related charges and his family had demanded diya (blood money) for his death. Following the execution, they have requested their diya from the treasury (beyt-ol-mal).
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 the intent and circumstances.