Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 31 January 2026: Amir Rouhi and Ardeshir Molayi, two men on death row for murder and drug-related charges, were executed in Hamedan Central Prison.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Hamedan Central Prison on 28 January 2026. His identity has been established as Amir Rouhi who was arrested for a murder that took place during a street fight three years ago. He was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) by the Criminal Court.
Another man was hanged at the prison on 29 January. His identity has been established as Ardeshir Molayi, a 40-year-old father and labourer from Malayer. He was arrested two years ago and seven months ago and 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.
Those charged with the umbrella term of “intentional murder” are sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) regardless of intent or circumstances due to a lack of grading in law. Once a defendant has been convicted, the victim’s family are required to choose between death as retribution, diya (blood money) or forgiveness.
Crucially, while an indicative diya amount is set by the Judiciary every year, there is no legal limit to how much can be demanded by families of the victims. IHRNGO has recorded many cases where defendants are executed because they cannot afford to pay the blood money. Should the victim’s family choose execution, they are not only encouraged to attend, but also to physically carry out the execution themselves.