A recent statistics report by the Norwegian-based Kurdish human rights organization Hengaw has revealed a significant number of executions in Iran during the first half of 2024, with the Baloch and Kurdish ethnic groups being disproportionately affected.
According to Hengaw, at least 266 prisoners were executed in various Iranian prisons from January to June 2024. This includes 72 Kurdish prisoners (27%), 42 Turkish prisoners (16%), 32 Baloch prisoners (12%), 23 Afghan prisoners (9%), 10 women, and one child.
Alarmingly, only 21 of these executions (8%) were officially announced by Iranian state media or judiciary-affiliated media, leaving 92% of the cases unreported.
The report states that the leading cause of executions was drug-related charges, accounting for 159 cases (60%), followed by premeditated murder with 90 cases (34%). Political and ideological charges accounted for 10 cases (3.5%), armed robbery for 5 cases (2%), and rape for 2 cases (0.5%).
Among those executed for political and religious activities, including alleged espionage for Israel, were Kurdish prisoners such as Davud Abdullahi, Farhad Salimi, and Pejman Fatehi.
The report also highlights the execution of one child defendant, Ramin Saadat from Miandoab, for premeditated murder. Additionally, at least 10 women were executed on charges related to premeditated murder and drug offenses.
Hengaw’s report underscores the severe persecution faced by ethnic minorities in Iran, including the Baloch. Last year, Iran executed 167 Baloch prisoners, accounting for 20% of all executions, despite the Baloch making up only about 5% of Iran’s population. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, a Norwegian-based Iranian human rights activist, described these figures as “staggering.”