Iran
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Retentionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 869
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 2,156
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · The 1999 figures for capital sentences and executions...
- News items in the archive
- 8,610
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Iran is classified as Retentionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 869 executions in the country, against 2,156 the year before. The archive holds 8,610 news items on Iran, from 1999 to today.
Iran is one of the countries where the association records the highest number of executions each year. The usual method is hanging, and capital punishment applies to a wide list of offences: murder, drug offences, offences against state security, sexual offences, and charges such as moharebeh, enmity against God, which allow very broad application.
Many executions are never announced. They emerge from local sources, from human rights organisations and from families. For Iran, more than anywhere else, the archive's count is a documented minimum.
Latest news
- SEPTEMBER 24, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: HANDS OFF CAIN, NAVID AFKARI'S EXECUTION IS AN EXPRESSION OF THE REGIME'S BLOODY NATURE
The Iranian regime executed wrestling champion Navid Afkari on 12 September 2020.
- SEPTEMBER 23, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO BROTHERS EXECUTED IN MASHHAD PRISON FOR RAPE
According to Khorasan newspaper online, two men were executed in Mashhad Central Prison on 15 September 2020. The two prisoners who were sentenced to death for rape, were brothers.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - A woman, Mahtab Shafiei, has been executed at Rajai Shahr on September 23.
IRAN - A woman, Mahtab Shafiei, has been executed at Rajai Shahr on September 23.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - 5 men were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj on September 23.
IRAN - 5 men were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj on September 23.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Movid Savari, probably a child offender, was executed in Sepidar Prison on September 20.
IRAN - Movid Savari, probably a child offender, was executed in Sepidar Prison on September 20.
- SEPTEMBER 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - The death sentence of Houshmand Alipour was overturned by the Supreme Court
IRAN - The death sentence of Houshmand Alipour was overturned by the Supreme Court
- SEPTEMBER 16, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Elias Bakhtiari was executed in Yazd Central Prison on September 16.
IRAN - Elias Bakhtiari was executed in Yazd Central Prison on September 16.
- SEPTEMBER 16, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Javad Kakha was executed at Arak Central Prison on September 16.
IRAN - Javad Kakha was executed at Arak Central Prison on September 16.
- SEPTEMBER 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Two brothers, not identified, executed in Mashhad Central Prison on September 15.
IRAN - Two brothers, not identified, executed in Mashhad Central Prison on September 15.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: NAVID AFKARI EXECUTED AT ADELABAD PRISON IN SHIRAZ
Navid Afkari was executed on 12 September 2020 at Adelabad prison, in Shiraz.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Navid Afkari was executed on September 12, in Adelabad prison, in Shiraz.
IRAN - Navid Afkari was executed on September 12, in Adelabad prison, in Shiraz.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Khezr Ghavidel was executed in Urmia Central Prison on September 10.
IRAN - Khezr Ghavidel was executed in Urmia Central Prison on September 10.
- SEPTEMBER 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Supreme Court Confirms the Death Sentence for 7 Sunni Political Prisoners
IRAN - Supreme Court Confirms the Death Sentence for 7 Sunni Political Prisoners
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Shahbaz Haddadi was executed in Borujerd Prison on September 9
IRAN - Shahbaz Haddadi was executed in Borujerd Prison on September 9
- SEPTEMBER 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Updates on the Afkari case
IRAN - Updates on the Afkari case
- SEPTEMBER 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Fath-Ali Behvand executed at Isfahan Central Prison on September 7.
IRAN - Fath-Ali Behvand executed at Isfahan Central Prison on September 7.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Updates on the Gholamreza Mansouri case.
IRAN - Updates on the Gholamreza Mansouri case.
- SEPTEMBER 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on September 5 the Coronavirus death toll in Iran Passed 99,200
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on September 5 the Coronavirus death toll in Iran Passed 99,200
- SEPTEMBER 4, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Official death toll from coronavirus is 22,044 on September 4.
IRAN - Official death toll from coronavirus is 22,044 on September 4.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - The German Judges Association has awarded its Human Rights Prize to Nasrin Sotoudeh
IRAN - The German Judges Association has awarded its Human Rights Prize to Nasrin Sotoudeh
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Alireza Samadi executed on Sept. 1 in Ardabil prison
IRAN - Alireza Samadi executed on Sept. 1 in Ardabil prison
- AUGUST 29, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Navid Afkari has been sentenced to death.
IRAN - Navid Afkari has been sentenced to death.
AUGUST 25, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on August 25, 2020, the Coronavirus death toll is 94,400.
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on August 25, 2020, the Coronavirus death toll is 94,400.
- AUGUST 23, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Iran reports 141 new coronavirus deaths, total: 20,643.
IRAN - Iran reports 141 new coronavirus deaths, total: 20,643.
- AUGUST 22, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A prisoner, identified only as “Parviz”, was reportedly hanged on August 22
IRAN - A prisoner, identified only as “Parviz”, was reportedly hanged on August 22
AUGUST 22, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Open Letter of Iranian Attorneys on the Sotoudeh Case.
IRAN - Open Letter of Iranian Attorneys on the Sotoudeh Case.
- AUGUST 20, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hossein Moloudi executed in Borujerd Central Prison on August 20.
IRAN - Hossein Moloudi executed in Borujerd Central Prison on August 20.
- AUGUST 20, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A prisoner, not identified, has been executed at Khalkhal Prison on August 20.
IRAN - A prisoner, not identified, has been executed at Khalkhal Prison on August 20.
- AUGUST 20, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Nasrin Sotoudeh in critical condition is taken to Evin Prison clinic.
IRAN - Nasrin Sotoudeh in critical condition is taken to Evin Prison clinic.
- AUGUST 19, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A prisoner, identified as Gholamreza Q., was reportedly hanged on August 19
IRAN - A prisoner, identified as Gholamreza Q., was reportedly hanged on August 19