The human rights organisation Hengaw has reported that the Islamic Republic of Iran executed at least 122 prisoners during April 2025, including six Afghan nationals. This marks a 59 percent increase compared to April of the previous year, when 77 executions were recorded.
In a report published on Saturday, Hengaw stated that the identities of 118 of those executed have been independently verified. Among the executed were five religious activists and three political prisoners. The report also noted that four women were executed on various charges.
Of the total executions, only three were officially announced through Iranian state media or judiciary-affiliated websites. Additionally, seven executions were reportedly carried out in secret, without prior notification to the prisoners’ families or granting them a final visit.
According to Hengaw, 58 of those executed were convicted of drug-related offences, 47 for murder, five for religious activities, three for political activities, and four for other crimes, including rape, sodomy, and armed robbery.
The sharp rise in executions has sparked renewed concern among international human rights organisations over the lack of transparency and due process in Iran’s judicial system.
