Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 26 August 2026: Saeed and Hamid Najafi, two brothers on death row for non-fatal armed robberies, were executed in Ghezelhesar Prison. Their 24-year-old nephew, Reza Najafi, is at imminent risk of execution.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were hanged in Ghezelhesar Prison on 25 August 2026. Their identities have been established as Saeed Najafi and Hamid Najafi, two brothers from Kouhdasht. They were arrested two years ago and sentenced to death on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery. Their 24-year-old nephew and co-defendant, Reza Najafi, is at imminent risk of execution.
According to Mizan News Agency, the official media outlet of the Iranian judiciary, the defendants were members of an armed robbery gang. The alleged robberies were not reported to have resulted in any fatalities. State reports further state that a third brother, Younes, was killed in a shootout with police.
A third unidentified man who was transferred to the pre-execution solitary confinement cells with Saeed and Hamid managed to escape the gallows after the victim’s family agreed to forgo their right to execution at the last minute. He was released after spending 13 years behind bars.
Article 279 of the IPC defines moharebeh (enmity against God) as: “drawing a weapon on the life, property or honour of the public or causing them terror, in a way that creates an environment of insecurity.” When a person draws a weapon on one or several specific individuals with personal motives, but their action does not have a public element, and also a person who draws a weapon on the public but does not create an atmosphere of insecurity due to their incompetence, they shall not be considered a mohareb (person who commits moharebeh).
Article 281 of the IPC stipulates that “bandits, robbers and smugglers who resort to arms and disrupt the security of the public and roads, shall be considered mohareb.”
Article 282 of the IPC sanctions the death penalty in cases of moharebeh. However, power is granted to judges to impose the alternative punishments of crucifixion, amputation of the right hand and left foot, or domestic exile away from the defendant’s hometown.