Breathing in Confinement

June 20 – July 20: Human Rights Violations Report in Iran; At Least 83 Prisoners Executed

27-July-2025

Category: Arrests، ethnic minorities، executions، Freedom of Expression، Labor and guilds، Prisoners، protesters، Repression، Retirees، Teachers

26 July 2025
News Categories: Freedom of Expression – Protests – Executions – Ethnic Minorities – Sexual Minorities – Arrests – Pensioners – Women – Prisoners – Repression – Workers and Guilds – Teachers

Breathing in Confinement – The Statistical Center of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran has published its report on human rights violations in Iran over the past month. According to this report, at least 83 prisoners were executed in the past month — marking a 167% increase compared to the same period last year.

In the past month, coinciding with the twelve-day war between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, an unprecedented wave of domestic repression and systematic human rights violations unfolded in Iran. While public attention, both domestic and international, was focused on the military conflict and its regional consequences, Iranian authorities seized the opportunity to intensify domestic suppression. This wave of repression simultaneously targeted multiple layers of society — from political and civil activists to journalists, artists, students, and even social media users.

According to official statements by Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, Chief Justice of Iran, more than 2,000 people were arrested across the country during this period. However, independent human rights sources report significantly higher numbers and emphasize that many detainees were held without access to legal counsel, under unlawful conditions, subjected to intensive interrogations, and in some cases, torture. A large portion of these arrests were related to expression of opinions, criticism of militaristic policies, or revealing internal realities on social media.

Simultaneously, a new wave of executions, floggings, lengthy prison sentences, and physical and psychological punishments against political prisoners gained momentum. Numerous reports have also emerged of cut communication and visitations, and deprivation of medical care.

Evidence suggests that during this period, the Islamic Republic employed a strategy of “creating an external crisis to block internal dissent,” using the security climate resulting from the war to escalate planned and violent repression of opponents, critics, and ordinary citizens. Repression within prisons — including raids on political wards, prolonged solitary confinement, and deprivation of basic human rights — was part of this systematic policy.

This report aims not only to document and analyse the widespread human rights violations over the past month, but also to highlight the international community’s responsibility to address the human rights situation in Iran — a situation that stems not only from the regime’s militaristic policies but reflects a long-standing, structural, and deliberate pattern of citizen suppression.

 

The Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, while expressing deep concern over the escalating trend of human rights violations in Iran, calls on the international community and human rights institutions to take urgent and effective action to safeguard lives, confront the wave of repression, and stop the surge in executions.

 

 

Summary of the Report:

• Execution of at least 83 prisoners, including the public execution of two prisoners
• Issuance of death sentences for 13 prisoners, including 8 political prisoners, and confirmation of two other death sentences by the Supreme Court
• Arrest of at least 2,147 citizens; death of a political prisoner moments before release; killing of one prisoner under torture; and death of two prisoners due to lack of medical care in prison
• Flogging sentence carried out against one political defendant
• Prison and monetary sentences issued against 27 political and ideological defendants, totalling 114 years, 4 months, and 6 days in prison; arrest of at least six political convicts to enforce their sentences; fines totalling 6.35 billion rials
• 20 workers killed and at least 37 injured in work-related incidents
• Dismissal of at least 870 workers
• 21 cases of femicide and violence against women
• Over 430 protest movements organised by various sectors of society
• The 78th consecutive weekly hunger strike by political prisoners on Tuesdays as part of the “Tuesdays against Executions” campaign — now expanded to 48 prisons
• Ongoing protest gatherings by families of political prisoners against death sentences
• Continued protests by pensioners and other social groups

 

Comprehensive Analysis of Executions
Overall Execution Statistics

• April 2025: 86 executions
• May 2025: 168 executions
• June 2025: 139 executions
• July 2025: 80 executions

 

According to the Statistics Centre of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, at least 83 prisoners were executed across various prisons in the country during July. Although this figure shows a relative decline compared to previous months, it cannot be interpreted as a sign of the suppression wave subsiding. Available evidence indicates that the decrease in recorded execution statistics is more likely due to widespread internet shutdowns, limited access to reliable sources, and increased pressure on prisoners’ families to withhold information, rather than an actual reduction in the number of executions.

For instance, on July 21, at least 7 prisoners were hanged in a mass execution at Yazd Prison. During the same period, reports emerged of a rise in public executions, the issuance of death sentences for charges such as espionage, “corruption on earth,” or actions against national security, and the intensified suppression of protesters and dissidents across the country.

A particularly alarming aspect of this month’s report is the issuance of death sentences for at least 8 political prisoners — an occurrence rarely seen in recent years. Among them, three individuals were sentenced to death twice. Such rulings not only represent a grave violation of human dignity and fair trial standards, but also serve as a clear message from the regime aimed at intimidating the political and civil society.

This pattern demonstrates that the death penalty remains one of the main instruments of repression within the Islamic Republic’s judicial system — employed not for the pursuit of justice, but as a tool to instil fear, eliminate opposition, and reinforce authoritarian control.

Over the past four months, at least 476 individuals have been executed in Iranian prisons. In comparison, during the same period last year, 196 executions were recorded. This marks an unprecedented 142% increase in the number of executions during the first four months of the current Persian calendar year (March 20 – July 20).

Such a dramatic spike in executions reflects a sharp escalation in systematic repression, the expansion of policies designed to sow fear in society, and the use of capital punishment as a means to suppress political and social discontent.

The chart below illustrates the execution statistics over the past four months.

 

 

Analysis by Type of Charge

 

Out of the 83 recorded executions last month, only 10 were officially announced by the Islamic Republic’s state media and official sources. The remaining cases were exposed by human rights organisations, independent journalists, and the families of political prisoners. This statistical discrepancy once again illustrates the Iranian government’s continued systematic secrecy aimed at concealing executions from public view.

Among the recorded executions, two were carried out in public. One of them was the execution of Elia Khalifehzadeh in Bukan, who was executed on charges of murder and rape. The second was an unidentified prisoner who was hanged in public in the Baruq district, part of Miandoab County.

The list of executed individuals also includes one woman, whose execution highlights the continued issuing and implementation of death sentences against women — despite international criticism — and underscores the precarious legal and social status of women under the Islamic Republic’s judicial system.

Another alarming aspect is the execution of at least 14 prisoners from ethnic minority groups. Among them, 7 were Baloch and 7 were Kurdish. These numbers not only reflect systemic discrimination and the targeting of ethnic minorities by the Iranian judiciary, but in many cases also point to the lack of fair trials, the use of torture to extract forced confessions, and convictions based on vague national security charges in cases involving these minority groups.

 

 

In the same period last year (20 June to 20 July 2024), according to data recorded by the Statistics Centre of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, only 31 executions had been reported. This indicates a sharp and alarming 167% increase in execution figures compared to the previous year. In other words, the number of executions over the past month has nearly tripled compared to the same period last year. This surge reflects an exponential rise in judicial violence in the country.

 

Analysis Based on Characteristics of Those Executed

Gender and Age

Women:

• April: 5 women
• May: 7 women
• June: 4 women
• July: 1 woman

According to the Statistics Centre of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, at least one woman was executed in the past month. Most of the executed women had been arrested on charges of premeditated murder and were sentenced to death without adequate access to legal counsel or the right to an effective defence. A review of the cases and existing testimonies reveals widespread violations of fair trial rights in the handling of these prisoners’ cases.

In the past month, a female prisoner named Talaat Sabzi, aged 47, was executed on 24 June 2025 in Qom Prison for the alleged murder of her husband. She had been detained and sentenced to death five years earlier.

 

Specific Cases of Executed Political Prisoners

April:

• Malek Ali Fadaei Nasab
• Farhad Shakeri
• Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij
• Abdolrahman Gorgij
• Taj Mohammad Khormali
• Ali Dehani

May:

• Hamid Hosseinnejad Heydranlou (secretly executed in Urmia Prison)
• Rostam Zeynoddini (Hajigol) — Zahedan Prison

June:

• Mojahid Kourkour (Abbas Kourkouri — arrested during the 2022 uprising)

July:

• Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, 23 years old — his case was still under judicial review and had not yet concluded at the time of execution
• Edris Ali, a 33-year-old kolbar (border porter), executed on charges of espionage
• Azad Shojaei, 45-year-old kolbar, also executed on charges of espionage
• Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul, a Kurdish Iraqi citizen from Sulaymaniyah

 

Government Secrecy

 

The chart below shows the proportion of executions publicly announced by the government versus those carried out in secret.

 

Of the 83 recorded executions in the past month, only 10 cases—approximately 12%—were announced by state media or official government sources. In other words, around 88% of the executions were carried out in total silence and only revealed through the persistent efforts of human rights organisations and victims’ families.

This level of concealment and censorship occurred under circumstances where internet access was restricted—or completely cut off—in many parts of the country, and the public sphere was under tight security control and waves of arrests. Such widespread secrecy indicates that the government is not only escalating the number of executions but is also deliberately attempting to keep the public unaware of the true extent of repression in the country.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Systematic Violation of International Standards Regarding the Death Penalty

While much of the international community is moving toward limiting or abolishing the death penalty, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to hold the second-highest execution rate in the world and systematically disregards fundamental human rights principles.

Blatant Violation of International Conventions by Iran

Despite being a signatory to several of the most important international human rights treaties, Iran has shown no genuine commitment to its obligations and repeatedly violates the provisions of these conventions.

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):

Emphasises the right to life, prohibition of torture, and guarantees of fair trial — all routinely breached in Iran.

• Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC):

Explicitly bans the execution of individuals under the age of 18 — a provision Iran frequently ignores.

• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW):

Although Iran is not  a signatory to this convention, its laws and practices regarding executed women exacerbate structural discrimination and violence against women.

• UN Safeguards Guaranteeing Protection of the Rights of Those Facing the Death Penalty:

These safeguards restrict capital punishment to “the most serious crimes” and require a fully fair and flawless trial — conditions rarely met in Iran.

 

Issuance and Confirmation of Death Sentences

In the past month, at least 13 individuals were sentenced to death, and the death sentences of 2 other prisoners were upheld by the Supreme Court. Among them, 8 were political prisoners and 5 were convicted of murder.

The names of the political prisoners sentenced to death include:
Masoud Jamei, Alireza Mordasi, and Farshad Etemadi-Far.
Each of these individuals was sentenced to two death sentences in addition to imprisonment on charges of membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), corruption on earth, and propaganda against the regime.

Additionally, Rozgar Beygzadeh Babamiri, Pezhman Soltani, Teyfour Salimi Babamiri, Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, and Kaveh Salehi were sentenced to death on charges of armed rebellion (baghi) and enmity against God (moharebeh), as well as leading and forming a criminal group allegedly under the name “Association of Rebels” affiliated with Komala and PAK.

Flogging Sentences

Last month, political prisoner Arman Shadivand was sentenced to 30 lashes on charges of insulting Ebrahim Raisi.

Flogging is considered a degrading, cruel, and inhumane punishment that is carried out under religious criminal law. Despite clear prohibitions in international human rights and civil rights conventions, flogging continues to be issued and implemented by Iranian courts as a form of “legalised torture.” This punishment represents a blatant violation of human rights and is an example of the ongoing violence and repression against political and civil prisoners.

Wave of Arrests

Amid the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, a massive wave of arrests occurred across the country. According to judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, over 2,000 people were arrested during this period.

Independent human rights sources report that at least 2,147 individuals were detained last month due to political, ideological, or online expression of opinions. Among those arrested were former political prisoners, grieving families, political, civil, and media activists, social media users, lawyers, and artists—all targeted in a broad crackdown.

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Incidents Inside Prisons

At least four prisoners died in prisons across Iran last month:

1. Ghader Rasoulpour, a political prisoner in Mahabad Prison, died under suspicious circumstances just hours before his scheduled release.

2. Fouad Alikhani died due to torture in Kermanshah Prison.

3. Morad Beygzadeh was killed with a knife during a fight in Hamedan Prison.

4. Amin Akbarzadeh died in Tabriz Prison due to lack of medical care.

Judicial Sentences and Implementation

Judgments were issued in 27 cases related to political and ideological charges last month:

• Total prison sentences: 114 years, 4 months, and 6 days

• Total financial penalties: 635 million tomans

• Additionally, 6 political prisoners were detained to begin serving their sentences.

Those sentenced included political activists, labour activists, lawyers, artists, Sunni clerics, and social media users.

Labour Accidents

Due to lack of workplace safety:

• 20 workers lost their lives.

• 37 others were injured.

The main causes were:

• Lack of standard safety equipment

• Inadequate training and supervision

• Negligence by employers

According to the Forensic Medicine Organization of Mazandaran Province, between April and June, 18 workers died and 204 were injured.
In Markazi Province, 8 workers died and 176 were injured.

The Deputy Minister of Health stated that approximately 1,000 workers die annually in Iran due to work-related accidents. Official records suggest over 2,000 deaths annually. However, informal workers, Kolbars (border porters), and fuel carriers are excluded from these statistics.

Worker Layoffs

At least 870 workers were laid off last month.
Following the 12-day war, media outlets including Rah-e-Pardakht, Khabar Online, Eghtesad News, Tejarat News, Donya-ye-Eqtesad, EcoIran, and Eghtesad Online collectively laid off 150 employees.

Other layoffs included:

• Simco Rasht Company: 20 fired, 35 resigned

• Khuzestan Tire Company: 400 laid off

• Tasha Machinery, Ahvaz: 300 workers laid off

Violence Against Women

In the past month:

• 17 women were killed

• 2 women were victims of acid attacks in Tehran and Javanrud

• A 13-year-old girl was raped and abused by her stepfather

According to Etemad News, between April and June, at least 40 women and girls were killed by family members—mostly due to “honour” reasons or domestic disputes.

Protests and Strikes

Despite heavy security measures, over 280 protests and demonstrations took place across Iran last month.

The “Tuesdays No to Execution” campaign entered its 78th week, with political prisoners in 48 prisons staging hunger strikes. Their families and civil activists held weekly protests on Tuesdays.

Hunger strikes were reported in Evin, Ghezel Hesar, Mashhad, Urmia, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Sanandaj, Bukan, Yasuj, and others.

Conclusion

The events of the past month in Iran are not merely isolated human rights violations—they reflect a deepening structural repression within the context of political and military crises.

While the Islamic Republic was engaged in a 12.5-day war on its borders, it used the situation to intensify domestic control and instil fear.

The sharp rise in executions, flogging, arrests, violence against women, deaths in prison, worker layoffs, and crackdowns on protests all point to the regime’s accelerated reliance on violence and coercive tools.

It is critical that international institutions, including the United Nations, special rapporteurs, and global civil society, respond with swift and effective action—before this crisis becomes irreversible.