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🔴 Breaking ❓ Unknown

Five Prisoners Executed in Isfahan and Rasht

Apr 13, 2026 April 13, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Five prisoners were executed in Isfahan and Rasht for drug-related offenses, with a significant increase in executions reported in 2023. Protests against these executions are occurring internationally, highlighting growing concerns over human rights violations in Iran.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The rise in executions indicates a troubling trend in Iran's human rights record.

👥 Key Players

Nouri Zamani (نوری زمانی) TARGET
Executed prisoner
"The identities of the executed individuals on Saturday in Isfahan were reported as 'Nouri Zamani, 32, from Lahijan.'"
Fathollah Joraksh (فتح الله جورا کش) TARGET
Executed prisoner
"The identities of the executed individuals on Saturday in Isfahan were reported as 'Fathollah Joraksh, 30, from Isfahan.'"
Eslahollah Bakhsh (اصلاح الله بخش) TARGET
Executed prisoner
"Two other prisoners were executed in Lakan prison in Rasht, identified as 'Eslahollah Bakhsh, 36, an Afghan national.'"
Hamid Abadi Nejad (حمید آبادی نژاد) TARGET
Executed prisoner
"Two other prisoners were executed in Lakan prison in Rasht, identified as 'Hamid Abadi Nejad from Rasht.'"
Iran Human Rights Organization (سازمان حقوق بشر ایران) QUOTED
Human rights organization
"The Iran Human Rights Organization has reported that in the early hours of Thursday, January 28, and Saturday, January 30, 2023, the sentences of five prisoners were carried out."
Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Iran (کمیته آزادی زندانیان سیاسی در ایران) QUOTED
Advocacy group
"Protests against the execution of prisoners in Iran have taken place in Frankfurt, Germany, and London, organized by the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Iran."

⚡ Actions

Iranian authorities EXECUTE Nouri Zamani, Fathollah Joraksh, Hossein Ali Koutahi, Eslahollah Bakhsh, Hamid Abadi Nejad
"The sentences of five prisoners previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges were carried out."
Confidence: 90%
Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Iran PROTEST Iranian government
"Protests against the execution of prisoners in Iran have taken place in Frankfurt, Germany, and London."
Confidence: 80%
Iran Human Rights Organization ANNOUNCE Iranian government
"The Iran Human Rights Organization has reported that in the early hours of Thursday, January 28, and Saturday, January 30, 2023, the sentences of five prisoners were carried out."
Confidence: 90%

📰 What Happened

Iran executed five prisoners on drug charges in Isfahan and Rasht amid rising execution statistics.

  • Iranian authorities execute Nouri Zamani, Fathollah Joraksh, Hossein Ali Koutahi, Eslahollah Bakhsh, Hamid Abadi Nejad
  • Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Iran protest Iranian government
  • Iran Human Rights Organization announce Iranian government

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Because the executions reflect the Iranian government's harsh stance on drug-related offenses and political dissent.
🌍 Regional: Because it raises concerns about human rights practices in Iran, affecting regional stability.
🌐 International: Because it could lead to increased international condemnation and potential sanctions.

📚 Background

The rise in executions indicates a troubling trend in Iran's human rights record.

📝 Key Evidence

"At least '791 citizens,' including 25 women and 2 child offenders, were executed in 2023."
→ This proves the increasing trend of executions in Iran.
📡 Source: INDEPENDENT
📊 Confidence: 80%
VOA Persian is generally considered a reliable source for human rights issues in Iran.

The Iran Human Rights Organization has reported that in the early hours of Thursday, January 28, and Saturday, January 30, 2023, the sentences of five prisoners previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges were carried out in the Dastgerd prison in Isfahan and the Lakan prison in Rasht. The identities of the executed individuals on Saturday in Isfahan were reported as 'Nouri Zamani, 32, from Lahijan, Fathollah Joraksh, 30, from Isfahan, and Hossein Ali Koutahi.' These prisoners were arrested on separate charges related to drug offenses and sentenced to death by the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic. Additionally, on Thursday, two other prisoners were executed in Lakan prison in Rasht, identified as 'Eslahollah Bakhsh, 36, an Afghan national, and Hamid Abadi Nejad from Rasht.' According to statistics recorded by the 'Human Rights Activists in Iran' group, at least '791 citizens,' including 25 women and 2 child offenders, were executed in 2023, marking an increase of over '33 percent' compared to the same period last year. Protests against the execution of prisoners in Iran have taken place in Frankfurt, Germany, and London, organized by the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Iran. Concerns have been raised regarding the execution of political prisoners amid government crises, as discussed in interviews with activists and family members of condemned prisoners. A statement from 17 student groups declared that they cannot tolerate executions, and Amnesty International has reported that four Kurdish prisoners who have been 'forcibly disappeared' are at 'serious risk of execution.'

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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