Iran hangs seven more in execution ‘spree’: rights group

• Raven Ruma
• . May 11, 2023
• . Update: May 11, 2023 6:11 pm
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The Islamic Republic of Iran executed seven more men in two prisons on drugs and rape charges on Wednesday, according to a rights group.

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Human rights activists described the incident as a “hanging spree.” A human rights group cited an unnamed source as saying, “A family member of one of the prisoners was taken to the hospital after being beaten by the Iranian forces and he is in critical condition.”

Three men were executed at Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj. Another four men were executed at Rajai Shahr Prison in the city of Karaj. Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO revealed that the three men were executed over drug-related charges and the four men were hanged on rape charges.

Iranian judiciary’s Mizan Online website confirmed that the three men at Ghezel Hesar prison were hanged on drug charges. Mizan Online claimed that the men were members of a cocaine distribution cartel in Iran.

Mahmood Amiry Moghaddam, a human rights advocate and the IHR director, slammed Iran for executing so many people in the country. He said, “The killing machine of the government is accelerating — its goal is to intimidate the people and its victims are the weakest people in society.”

The recent rise in execution has triggered concern at home and abroad. The United Nations has called the record of execution in Iran “abominable.” Many countries and international NGOs called on the Iranian regime to halt the hangings.

Families of the executed men protested outside the prisons. Iranian police used tear gas and batons to disperse them.

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According to Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) and Paris-based Ensemble Contre la Peine de Mort or ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty), at least 333 people were executed in 2021. At least 582 people were executed in the country in 2022.