Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 15, 2023: Mosafer Zargar, a Baluch man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed in Mashhad Central Prison.
According to Haal Vsh, a Baluch man was executed in Mashhad Central Prison on 14 December. His identity has been reported as 29-year-old Mosafer Zargar from Zahedan.
Mosafer was arrested in Mashhad around six years ago and sentenced to qisas for murder by the Mashhad Criminal Court. He said goodbye to his family the day prior to his execution.
At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.
Those charged with the umbrella term of “intentional murder” are sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) regardless of intent or circumstances due to a lack of grading in law. Once a defendant has been convicted, as the plaintiffs, the victim’s family are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.
Ethnic minorities, the Baluch in particular, are grossly overrepresented in execution numbers in Iran. In 2022, at least 174 Baluch minorities including 3 women, were executed in 22 prisons across Iran, making up 30% of overall executions. This is while they represent just 2-5% of Iran’s population.