Afghan Prisoner Executed In Iran Without Family Notification, Says Rights Group
An Afghan prisoner was executed in southern Iran without his family being informed or granted a final visit, a rights group said Wednesday.
Halvash, a human rights organisation, said the execution took place in Bandar Abbas prison. The inmate, identified as 28-year-old Nawab Popalzai from Afghanistan’s Farah province, had been convicted on drug-related charges after his arrest two years ago in Zahedan.
Under Iranian law, judicial authorities are required to notify defence lawyers at least 48 hours before carrying out an execution. Prisoners are also entitled to request a final meeting with family members.
Human rights groups accuse Iran of routinely violating these procedures.
According to Hengaw, another monitoring group, Iran has executed about 800 people in less than eight months, including at least 46 Afghan nationals.
