Reza Sabzi Hanged for Drug Offences in Shahroud

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Shahroud Prison, Semnan province, on 25 October 2025. His identity has been established as Reza Sabzi who was arrested around six years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related related charges by the Revolutionary Court. He was held at the prison throughout his detention.

At the time of writing, his execution has 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.