Ilam Central Prison; Iraj Ebrahimizadeh Executed
July 22, 2026 – Iraj Ebrahimizadeh, a Kurdish prisoner from Ilam who had previously been sentenced to Qisas (retribution-in-kind / death penalty) on charges of "premeditated murder," was executed in Ilam Central Prison early this morning, Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
According to findings by Kurdpa, despite the launch of fundraising campaigns about a month ago to raise blood money (Diyya) after the victim's family agreed to grant pardon in exchange for financial compensation, the prisoner was transferred to a solitary confinement cell in Ilam Central Prison on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for the execution of the verdict. The death sentence was carried out early Wednesday morning, July 22.
Iraj Ebrahimizadeh, a 37-year-old unmarried citizen from Ilam, was arrested on October 24, 2023, on charges of "premeditated murder" and sentenced to Qisas by the Criminal Court of this city. His body was buried on July 22, 2026, in the "Salehabad" cemetery in Ilam.
As of the publication of this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been announced by domestic Iranian media or official sources.
Under the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, all forms of intentional murder are strictly met with the penalty of Qisas (retribution-in-kind), while factors such as self-defense, the circumstances of the crime, or the defendant's motive play a limited role in determining punishment. This structure stands in conflict with the right to life and a fair trial as stipulated in Articles 6 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as state responsibilities in safeguarding human life and realizing public justice.
According to documented data by the Kurdpa Human Rights Organization, at least 9,078 individuals were executed in Iran between 2012 and the first half of 2026, including the verified identities of 980 Kurdish citizens. In the first half of 2026 alone, more than 359 executions were recorded, with Kurds representing the highest number of ethnic executions at 30 cases. Furthermore, over a five-month period (from January 17, 2026, to June 16, 2026), the death sentences of 46 political and conscientious prisoners were carried out in a rushed and secretive manner, marking the highest rate in the shortest span of time since the 1980s.
