Group Hanging of 3 Drug Defendants in Isfahan

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were hanged in Isfahan (Dastgerd) Central Prison on 7 October 2025. Their identities have been established as Ahmad Arzani Ashouri (right photo), a 40-year-old Bakhtiari man residing in Isfahan’s Hasseh, Rahim Tavakoli (left photo), a 34-year-old father of one from Qouchan, and a man only identified as Abolfazl.

Ahmad was arrested five years ago and Rahim, three years ago. They were all sentenced to death on drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court.

At the time of writing, their executions have not 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. At least 517 people were executed for drug-related offences in the first nine months of 2025.