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Iran executes at least 901 people in first seven months of 2026
A report from the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran indicates that at least 901 people have been executed in Iran between January and July 2026. The data shows a significant increase in the use of the death penalty for cases involving national security, drug-related crimes, and ethnic minorities.
Of those executed, at least 56 were for political or national security reasons, including 29 related to public protests, 13 for alleged espionage, and 14 for other security charges. Drug-related offenses accounted for at least 268 executions. The report also highlights a disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities, documenting at least 98 executions of Baluch, Kurdish, Afghan, Arab, Turk, and Turkmen individuals.
In a specific high-profile case, Ghaem (Arian) Hosseini, a 21-year-old Afghan national, was executed in Isfahan. He was convicted in connection with the Shahid-Alichani Square protests in January, where four police officers were killed. Human rights organizations, including Iran Human Rights, have criticized the proceedings, citing concerns over forced confessions, lack of legal representation, and the arbitrary use of the death penalty.
Entities
Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran · Abdorrahman Center for Human Rights in Iran · Antonio Guterres · Ghaem Hosseini · Iran · Iran Human Rights · Isfahan · Mizan Online · Razavi Khorasan · United Nations
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] At least 56 people were executed for political or national security reasons during the seven-month period. www.shqipmedia.com · abcnews.al · arabic.euronews.com · de.euronews.com · www.vizionplus.tv
- [● 6 SOURCES] At least 268 executions were related to drug-related crimes. www.shqipmedia.com · abcnews.al · arabic.euronews.com · de.euronews.com · www.vizionplus.tv
- [● 7 SOURCES] At least 901 people were executed in Iran between January and July 2026. www.shqipmedia.com · abcnews.al · arabic.euronews.com · de.euronews.com · www.vizionplus.tv · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The recently executed man in the Shahid-Alichani Square case was reportedly a foreign citizen, though his nationality was not specified. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.diepresse.com · www.upday.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] A man was executed in connection with the January protest wave in the Shahid-Alichani Square case. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.diepresse.com · www.upday.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] UN Secretary-General António Guterres reported that at least 975 people were executed in Iran in 2024. arabic.euronews.com · de.euronews.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The report documented the execution of 16 women and two individuals who were under 18 at the time of their alleged crimes. www.shqipmedia.com · abcnews.al · arabic.euronews.com · de.euronews.com · www.vizionplus.tv
- [● 6 SOURCES] At least 98 members of ethnic minorities were executed between January and July. www.shqipmedia.com · abcnews.al · arabic.euronews.com · de.euronews.com · www.vizionplus.tv
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ghaem Hosseini, an Afghan national, was executed in Isfahan for his alleged role in the deaths of four police officers during January protests. www.economx.hu · www.lindaikejisblog.com · taz.de