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The Judiciary of the Islamic Republic Executes at Least Two Prisoners in Birjand and Sanandaj

Jun 21, 2026 June 21, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The Iranian Judiciary executed at least two prisoners on drug and murder charges, highlighting the ongoing use of capital punishment in the country. Ismail Ghadermaqam was executed in Birjand without a final family visit, while Mohammad Reza Mehrban was executed in Sanandaj. This reflects the Iranian government's continued reliance on the death penalty as a means of repression.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The executions underscore the Iranian regime's continued reliance on capital punishment.

👥 Key Players

Ismail Ghadermaqam (اسماعیل قادرمقام) TARGET
Executed prisoner
"The execution of this 32-year-old citizen from Zahedan took place 'without a final meeting with family.'"
Mohammad Reza Mehrban (محمدرضا مهربان) TARGET
Executed prisoner
"This prisoner, identified as Mohammad Reza Mehrban, 35 years old and from Qorveh, was executed on Tuesday."
Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam QUOTED
Director of Iran Human Rights
"The Islamic Republic uses the death penalty as a 'tool for repression.'"

⚡ Actions

Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran EXECUTE Ismail Ghadermaqam, Mohammad Reza Mehrban
"The Judiciary executed a prisoner named Ismail Ghadermaqam on Wednesday, December 27, in Birjand for drug-related charges."
Confidence: 90%
Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran EXECUTE Mohammad Reza Mehrban
"Another prisoner was executed in Sanandaj on charges of 'murder.'"
Confidence: 90%

📰 What Happened

Iran executed two prisoners for drug-related offenses and murder in Birjand and Sanandaj.

  • Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran execute Ismail Ghadermaqam, Mohammad Reza Mehrban
  • Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran execute Mohammad Reza Mehrban

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Because it highlights the Iranian government's use of the death penalty as a means of repression.
🌍 Regional: Because it raises concerns about human rights practices in Iran and its implications for regional stability.
🌐 International: Because it draws attention to Iran's human rights abuses and may influence international relations.

📚 Background

The executions underscore the Iranian regime's continued reliance on capital punishment.

📝 Key Evidence

"the Islamic Republic uses the death penalty as a 'tool for repression'"
→ This proves the Iranian government's approach to executions.
📡 Source: INDEPENDENT
📊 Confidence: 90%
VOA Persian is considered a reliable source for human rights issues in Iran.

News and human rights sources reported the execution of at least two prisoners in the prisons of the Islamic Republic of Iran on charges of 'murder' and 'drug-related offenses.' According to the website 'Halosh,' which covers news related to southeastern Iran, the Judiciary executed a prisoner named Ismail Ghadermaqam (Barahui) on Wednesday, December 27, in Birjand for drug-related charges. The execution of this 32-year-old citizen from Zahedan, residing in Birjand, took place 'without a final meeting with family' while his relatives were present outside the prison after a call from one of his fellow inmates. Additionally, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported on Wednesday that another prisoner was executed in Sanandaj on charges of 'murder.' This prisoner, identified as Mohammad Reza Mehrban, 35 years old and from Qorveh, was executed on Tuesday in Sanandaj Central Prison. Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, an organization based in Norway, previously told Voice of America about the increasing wave of executions in Iran, stating that the Islamic Republic uses the death penalty as a 'tool for repression' and 'its goal is not at all to combat or prevent crime.' According to this human rights researcher, most of those executed in Iran face charges related to drugs and murder, but over 40 years of executions have shown that there has been no reduction in violent crimes and drug offenses.

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

Translation confidence: 85%

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