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
- 9,164
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 9,164 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
MAY 16, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah sentenced to six years in prison
IRAN - French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah sentenced to six years in prison
MAY 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Official Coronavirus deaths: 6,902
IRAN - Official Coronavirus deaths: 6,902
MAY 14, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Amnesty calls on Iran to ‘reveal fate' of Hossein Silawi, Ali Khasraji, Naser Khafajian, and Hedayat Abdollahpour
IRAN - Amnesty calls on Iran to ‘reveal fate' of Hossein Silawi, Ali Khasraji, Naser Khafajian, and Hedayat Abdollahpour
- MAY 14, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONER SAMAN KARIMI SENTENCED TO DEATH
A Kurdish citizen from Baneh, Saman Karimi, son of Mohammad Saleh, has been sentenced to death and thirteen years in prison by Branch One of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Saeedi, on charges of "membership in the Democratic Party
MAY 13, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER SOHEILA HEJAB SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON
According to the report received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Soheyla Hijab, the lawyer and civil activist from Kermanshah, on 18 March 2020 was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by Tehran revolutionary court presided by judge Maghiseh.
MAY 12, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER SENTENCED TO PRISON
Payam Derafshan, a lawyer, is sentenced to two years prison terms and two years ban from practicing as a lawyer, at a court of the first instance for “insulting the Supreme Leader” in a private chat, Iran Human Rights reported on 9 May 2020.
- MAY 11, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 320 NEW ARRESTS FOR ‘SPREADING RUMORS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS’
The Commander of Police on 9 May 2020 said his forces have identified and dealt with 1,300 websites and arrested 320 individuals for "spreading rumors" about the spread of Coronavirus on social media.
MAY 11, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: YOUNG WOMAN SENTENCED TO HAVE EYES GOUGED OUT
A young woman was sentenced to have her eyes gouged out in northeastern Iran, Women’s Committee of Iran NCRI reported on 9 May 2020.
- MAY 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to PMOI / MEK, on May 10, 2020, the Coronavirus death toll is 40,500.
IRAN - According to PMOI / MEK, on May 10, 2020, the Coronavirus death toll is 40,500.
MAY 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Kurdish political prisoner Saman Karimi sentenced to death.
IRAN - Kurdish political prisoner Saman Karimi sentenced to death.
MAY 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Iran Says Ready For Prisoners Swap With US
IRAN - Iran Says Ready For Prisoners Swap With US
- MAY 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Official death numbers.
IRAN - Official death numbers.
- MAY 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 320 new arrests for "Spreading Rumors about the coronavirus".
IRAN - 320 new arrests for "Spreading Rumors about the coronavirus".
- MAY 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 2 Afghan lawmakers say 45 migrants drowned by Iranian guards (see HoC May 2)
IRAN - 2 Afghan lawmakers say 45 migrants drowned by Iranian guards (see HoC May 2)
MAY 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Young woman sentenced to have eyes gouged out.
IRAN - Young woman sentenced to have eyes gouged out.
- MAY 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Payam Derafshan, a lawyer, is sentenced to two years
IRAN - Payam Derafshan, a lawyer, is sentenced to two years
MAY 8, 2020United StatesDEATH PENALTYIRAN - The body of Ali Ajami, Iranian human rights activist, found in Texas on May 6, 2020.
IRAN - The body of Ali Ajami, Iranian human rights activist, found in Texas on May 6, 2020.
- MAY 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - More information on Majid Esmaeilzadeh, the juvenile offender executed on April 18, 2020
IRAN - More information on Majid Esmaeilzadeh, the juvenile offender executed on April 18, 2020
MAY 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED IN GOLESTAN PROVINCE
According to Iranian semi-official Fars News Agency, a man, whose name was not mentioned, was hanged at a prison in Gonbad Kavus city, Golestan province, on 5 May 2020.
MAY 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRESSURE INCREASES ON PROMINENT RIGHTS DEFENDER IN PRISON
The Islamic Republic intelligence agents have tightened restrictions on a prominent Iranian human rights advocate as she begins her sixth year in prison, Radio Farda reported on 5 May 2020.
MAY 6, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - IHR Warns of Possible Torture of Two Elite Iranian Students, Ali Younesi and Amir Hossein Moradi.
IRAN - IHR Warns of Possible Torture of Two Elite Iranian Students, Ali Younesi and Amir Hossein Moradi.
- MAY 6, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED FOR ‘CORRUPTION ON EARTH’
According to the Iranian Khorasan daily on 28 April 2020 two prisoners were executed at Mashhad central prison (also known as Vakilabad prison).
- MAY 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Officials will not disclose the country's death toll for the last three months
IRAN - Officials will not disclose the country's death toll for the last three months
- MAY 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Pressure Increases On Narges Mohammadi, Prominent Rights Defender In Iran Prison.
IRAN - Pressure Increases On Narges Mohammadi, Prominent Rights Defender In Iran Prison.
- MAY 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Unidentified man hanged on May 5 at the Gonbad Kavus prison.
IRAN - Unidentified man hanged on May 5 at the Gonbad Kavus prison.
- MAY 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - At least 50 women infected with the coronavirus in Sepidar Prison
IRAN - At least 50 women infected with the coronavirus in Sepidar Prison
- MAY 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FORMER MAYOR OF TEHRAN MOHAMMAD ALI NAJAFI HAS PAID A ‘DIYA’ OF $650,000
The former mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Ali Najafi, who is being held in prison for the murder of his second wife on 3 May 2020 said he has paid 100 billion rials (roughly $650,000) to the victim's immediate relatives and acquired their forgiveness
MAY 4, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN SENTENCES A POPULAR INSTAGRAM COUPLE IN SELF-EXILE TO JAIL, LASHES
A Revolutionary Court in Iran has sentenced a husband and wife who are among Iranian lifestyle and sports Instagram influencers to a total of 16 years in prison, 74 lashes and a cash fine.
- MAY 3, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on May 3 Coronavirus Death Toll Exceeds 38,700.
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on May 3 Coronavirus Death Toll Exceeds 38,700.
- MAY 3, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - The former mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Ali Najafi, has paid a "diya" of $650,000
IRAN - The former mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Ali Najafi, has paid a "diya" of $650,000