Mohammad Yousefi Azad Hanged for Drug Offences in Zanjan

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 16 August 2026: Mohammad Yousefi Azad, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Zanjan Central Prison.

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Zanjan Central Prison on 30 July 2026. His identity has been established as Mohammad Yousefi Azad, a 25-year-old car mechanic. He was arrested three years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

An informed source told IHRNGO: “Mohammad had maintained his innocence from the trial until the last moments before execution. But, the judge had ignored his defence.”

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.

In December 2025, IHRNGO published a report titled “A Village of Graves: Widespread and Systematic Drug Executions in Iran,” which provides an overview of drug laws and documents the systematic violation of due process and fair trial rights in drug cases.