Iran hangs three on drug charges amid criticism
The latest executions were carried out after perpetrators were reportedly caught with large amounts of heroin.
Iran has hanged three people on drug charges amid continued criticism of its execution practices and increased death sentences.
The three men, identified as Shahab Mansournasab, Samad Geravand and Saeed Geravand, were hanged after more than 39 kilograms of heroin and its precursors and processing equipment were seized from them, the judiciary’s official website said on Sunday.
They were charged with “corruption on earth” after admitting they planned to sell the drugs in the capital Tehran, and the Supreme Court upheld their verdict, it said.
Iranian law requires anyone carrying more than 30 grams (1 ounce) of heroin to face the death penalty and most of their assets confiscated.
The news comes a day after Iran’s judiciary announced it had executed a man identified as Shahrouz “Alex” Sokhanvari for running a human trafficking and prostitution ring operating across the region.
Iran on Friday executed three men in a case linked to protests that erupted across the country following the September death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested by vice squads for allegedly failing to had a mandatory dress code.
The men were hanged after being convicted of “moharebeh” or “waging war against God” for allegedly killing a police officer and two members of the Basij paramilitary group during the unrest.
Friday’s executions, which brought the number of those executed in cases related to the protests to seven, were criticized by the European Union and the United States.
Iran’s foreign ministry on Saturday condemned the criticism as “ridiculous” and said the West should listen to the protests of its own citizens rather than “interfere” in the affairs of other countries.
The United Nations and human rights groups have warned of a significant rise in Iran’s executions, with UN human rights chief Volker Turk saying Iran has an “appalling” record of executions this year.
According to the UN, the number of executions in Iran this year is on track to become the highest since 2015, when 972 death sentences were carried out.
According to human rights groups, including Amnesty International, Iran executes more people each year than any other country except China.
Most executions are carried out for drug crimes. Iran executed a man dubbed the “Sultan of Cocaine” earlier this month.