ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran carried out the death sentence of 96 individuals in July, mostly on drug-related charges, marking a 74 percent increase compared to the same month last year, a rights watchdog reported on Sunday. “At least 96 prisoners were executed in the prisons of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This represents an increase of at least 41 cases - equivalent to 74.5% - compared to July 2024, when 55 executions were recorded,” the Oslo-based Hengaw Human Rights Organization said. Only four of the executions were officially reported by the Iranian government. Two were conducted publicly, while the remaining two were carried out in secret without notifying the victims’ families, according to the watchdog. Many of those executed were convicted of drug-related charges, “totaling 46 cases and accounting for 48 percent of all executions,” Hengaw said. At least 11 were Kurds. On Thursday, Iranian authorities amputated the fingers of three prisoners, a move that drew widespread condemnation from the international community. Iran executed an estimated 909 people in 2024, with Kurds making up 20 percent of the total number, according to Hengaw. Human rights organizations have criticized Tehran’s use of the death penalty, especially for minority groups and people who protest against the Iranian government. Iran ranks second globally for known executions, according to Amnesty International.
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