KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran executed 14 prisoners, including three Afghan nationals, in late January, as the country continues to enforce capital punishment despite widespread international criticism.
The Norway-based Iranian rights group Hengaw reported that the three Afghan nationals were executed on charges of premeditated murder and drug-related offenses in multiple Iranian prisons.
The individuals were identified as Karim Nazari from Herat province, executed on drug-related charges in Taybad prison on January 29, and Saifuddin Mehraban, 23, and Nameq Kasravi, 25, both from Baghlan province, executed on charges of premeditated murder in Shiraz Central Prison (Adelabad) on January 28.
Iranian authorities and state media have not confirmed the executions.
The country is known for one of the highest execution rates in the world, imposing the death penalty for a wide range of crimes, including drug offenses, murder, and political dissent. According to Hengaw, at least 1,858 prisoners, including 85 Afghan nationals, were executed in multiple prisons across Iran in 2025, marking a significant increase from previous years.
Rights organizations have noted a consistent increase in the execution of Afghan citizens since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Iran Human Rights reported that 16 Afghan nationals were executed in 2022, rising to 25 in 2023, at least 80 in 2024, and 85 in 2025. The data highlights a growing trend of foreign nationals, particularly Afghans, facing the death penalty in Iran.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the expanding use of capital punishment, arguing it violates the right to life under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They continue to call for the abolition of the death penalty and for increased transparency in Iran’s judicial processes.
Iran’s judiciary regularly carries out executions in secret, with foreign nationals often facing limited legal protections and consular access. Rights groups have expressed concern that Afghan prisoners and other non-Iranian inmates are particularly vulnerable, given the opacity of the judicial system and lack of independent monitoring.
Hengaw and other human rights organizations continue to monitor and document these cases, urging the international community to pressure Tehran to halt executions and adhere to international human rights norms.
