Khodayar Joghatay Hanged in Sabzevar; at Least 35 People at Imminent Risk of Execution

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Sabzevar Prison on 11 November 2025. His identity has been established as Khodayar Joghatay, a 31-year-old man arrested three years ago. He was sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

His cousin, Ali Joghatay, was also executed for drug-related offences at the prison on 15 July.

At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

According to informed IHRNGO sources, at least 35 people are currently awaiting the gallows at the prison: “Two of the defendants amongst them were under 18 years ago of age at the time of their offences. They were detained in juvenile detention for around 18 months before being transferred to the prison wards.”

“One of them was 16 years and 8 months old and the other, 17 years and five months old at the time of offence. They were arrested for the murder of their friend who they allegedly killed with poison and threw his body in the river. Their case has been sent to the Supreme Court,” the source added. IHRNGO is working to independently verify their ages.

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 612 people were executed for drug-related offences in the first ten months of 2025.