Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); October 1, 2025: Reza Shahlayinia, a Kurdish man on death row for drug-related offences, was executed in Kerman Central Prison. At least 130 Kurdish prisoners are currently awaiting execution for drug offences at the prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a Kurdish man was hanged in Kerman Central Prison on 29 September 2025. His identity has been established as Reza Shahlayinia, a 27-year-old man from Qorveh who was sentenced to death on drug-related charges.
An informed source told IHRNGO: “Reza was arrested with his wife and father-in-law in Kerman three years ago. Reza claimed the drugs were his so they would be released. However, after sentencing, nobody believed him when he said the drug were not his. After his execution, Reza’s father lost the ability to speak.”
“At least 130 Kurdish men are currently awaiting execution for drug offences in Kerman Central Prison,” the source added.
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 426 people were executed for drug-related offences in the first eight months of 2025.