Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 26 May 2026: Abdolghader Rasouli, a Kurdish man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Mahabad Prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Mahabad Prison on 25 May 2026. His identity has been established as Abdolghader Rasouli, a Kurdish father of two from Mahabad.
He was arrested around four 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.