TEHRAN — Iran executed an Afghan national and five others on Wednesday, according to HENGAW, a human rights watchdog. The executions were carried out in the Qazalhisar prison, located near the capital, Tehran.
The Afghan national, identified as Abdul Bari Pakohi, was among several individuals sentenced on drug-related charges, HENGAW reported. Another man executed the same day had been convicted of harassing women in Tehran, a crime for which he was arrested six years ago.
Over the past month, the group documented at least 17 executions, most of them linked to allegations of murder or drug offenses.
Rights groups say there has been a significant rise in the number of Afghan nationals executed in Iran this year compared to previous years. Activists have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in Iran’s judicial system and the limited legal representation available to foreign nationals, particularly Afghans.
Iran has one of the highest rates of executions in the world, often using the death penalty for drug offenses and crimes such as murder, adultery, and rape. International human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Iran’s judicial practices, citing unfair trials and forced confessions.
