Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); April 25, 2025: Akbar Sheikhi, a man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Hamedan Central Prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Hamedan Central Prison on 23 April 2025. His identity has been established as 25-year-old Akbar Sheikhi from Hamedan.
He was arrested five years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.
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.