Baluch Nabi Bakhsh Molazehi Executed in Minab

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – : Nabi Bakhsh Molazehi, a Baluch man on death row for drug-related charges, was executed in Minab Prison.

According to Haal Vsh, a Baluch man was executed in Minab Prison in Hormozgan province on 30 July. His identity has been reported as 61-year-old Nabi Bakhsh Molazehi who was arrested for drug-related offences in Minab five years ago. He was sentenced to death by the Minab Revolutionary Court.

Another Baluch man named Mahim Jangizehi was executed at the prison on 29 July.

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 2023 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 471 people were executed for drug-related charges, an 84% increase compared to 2022 (256) and about 18 times the average of drug-related executions in 2018-2020. In the first six months of 2024, at least 147 people were executed for the charges.

On 10 April 2024, 80+ Iranian and international organisations and groups called for joint action to stop drug-related executions, urging UNODC to make “any cooperation with the Islamic Republic contingent on a complete halt on drug-related executions.”