Mehran Zolfi and Asghar Nourinia Hanged in Tabriz

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were hanged in Arak Central Prison on 23 April 2025. Their identities have been established as 27-year-old Mehran Zolfi (photo) from Tabriz and 35-year-old Asghar Nourinia from Jolfa.

Mehran was arrested four years ago and Asghar, three years ago. They were both sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

At the time of writing, neither of their executions have been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2024 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 503 people were executed for drug-related charges, of which only under 3% were announced by official sources. 17% of all drug-related executions in 2024 were Baluch minorities while they represent 2-6% of Iran’s population.