Documented reports received by the Iran Human Rights Organization indicate that the death sentences of two prisoners, Ahmad Nikdel and Mohammad Reza Aziz Haji, have been carried out in separate cases at Qanitar Prison in Dezful. An examination of the judicial processes in these two cases reveals that the death sentences were issued following unintended altercations and the rejection of the defendants’ claims of self-defense.
According to information obtained by the organization, Ahmad Nikdel, 44, a father of three, had his death sentence executed in the early hours of Wednesday, October 7, 2026. He had been arrested three years earlier following a dispute motivated by honor at his workplace.
A knowledgeable source regarding his case stated: “Ahmad was working in a production workshop. One of his colleagues, named Jamil, had used derogatory language against Ahmad’s sister. Upon learning of this, Ahmad struck Jamil on the head with a metal rod at work, which unfortunately resulted in Jamil’s death. The court condemned Ahmad to death without considering the circumstances of the crime.”
Additionally, the death sentence of another prisoner, Mohammad Reza Aziz Haji, 30, was executed at the same prison in the early hours of Wednesday, October 1, 2026. A source familiar with the unjust proceedings of this case explained: “Mohammad Reza was from a village in Qanitar (Dezful). Four years ago, several individuals confronted Mohammad Reza due to a 40 million toman debt owed by his brother, who had left the city. They verbally abused him and physically attacked him. Initially, Mohammad Reza did not react, but as the assault intensified, he was forced to defend himself. During the altercation, two of the assailants were injured, one of whom died three days later, and the other lost vision in one eye.
Despite being attacked and merely defending himself, the court rejected Mohammad Reza’s claim of self-defense and sentenced him to death.” As of the time of this report, the executions of these two prisoners have not been announced by domestic media or official judicial authorities, indicating a media blackout.
Structural Flaws in Iran’s Penal Laws
The Karoon Human Rights Organization emphasizes that the lack of gradation for the crime of “murder” in Iran’s Islamic Penal Code is a primary factor contributing to the widespread issuance of death sentences. Under these laws, any intentional deprivation of life, regardless of the defendant’s motives, the severity of the crime, psychological conditions, or issues such as “self-defense” and “unintended conflict,” generally faces a fixed punishment (qisas). This practice is in stark contradiction to fundamental principles of fair trial and international human rights.
The excessive use of the death penalty in Iran continues to rise. Statistics show that the implementation of qisas sentences has significantly increased in recent years; in 2025 alone, at least 747 individuals were executed for murder, 419 in 2024, and over 282 in 2023. The year 2025 has set a record for the highest number of executions since 2010.
The Karoon Human Rights Organization condemns the execution of these sentences and calls for an immediate halt to the inhumane use of the death penalty and fundamental reforms in penal laws in accordance with human rights standards.
