International Death Penalty News 2022, Issue 52: Iran, United States of America, Zambia

Iran

On Saturday, December 17, 2022, 40-year-old Ghasem Salarzehi, a Baluch man, was executed in Zahedan Central Prison.  He was convicted on drug-related charges after being arrested about three years ago.  His family was allegedly not informed of his pending execution, preventing them from having their final visit to say goodbye.  State officials and the media have not yet reported the execution.

On Sunday, December 18, 2022, 25-year-old Aziz Gorgij (known as Bidollah Barahouyi) was executed in Zabol Prison.  Aziz was a Baluch minority.  He was sentenced to death on drug-related charges.  His family was not given notice of his pending execution, preventing them from having a final visit in which to say goodbye.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Tuesday, December 20, 2022, three men were executed in Karaj Penitentiary.  Executions are traditionally carried out by hanging.  One of the men was an Afghan national who was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Another was identified as Mehdi Kamranifar, who was convicted on drug-related charges.  The third man was Mehdi’s accomplice, however, he was not identified by name.  The three executions have not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, 35-year-old Abdollah Shahuzehi was executed in Shiraz Central Prison. He was convicted on drug-related charges after being arrested about two years ago.  His family was allegedly in a road accident and hospitalized while they were traveling for their final visit.  State officials and the media have not yet announced the execution.

On Thursday, December 22, 2022, three unnamed men were executed in Shiraz Central Prison.  They were convicted of raping several women in Derak Park, Sadra Road, and Akbarabad in Shiraz.  Many of those convicted of rape in Iran are often tortured into confessing.

On Saturday, December 24, 2022, Elias Raisi and Ayoub Rigi were executed in Sistan-Baluchistan province.  Elias was convicted of murder in a family dispute in 2000.  Ayoub was convicted of using a military weapon to kill a person with whom he had a personal dispute.  Both were executed after the families of the victims refused to grant clemency in accordance with Islamic law.

On Saturday, December 24, 2022, Nezamodin Borhanzehi, a Baluch minority, was executed in Iranshahr Prison.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  He was arrested about nine years ago.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Monday, December 26, 2022, Hamid Ebrahimi was executed in Isfahan Central Prison.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  He was arrested about four years ago.  His execution has not been reported by state officials or the media.

On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 42-year-old Davoud Yousefi and 33-year-old Ebrahim Ajali were executed in Karaj Penitentiary.  Both men were arrested about four years ago on drug-related charges.

On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, Hamidreza Nejati and his nephew Mohsen Nejati were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison.  Both were convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  State officials and the media have not yet reported on these executions.  

On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, Davoud Rahmatali was executed in Shiraz Central Prison.  Executions are usually carried out by hanging.  Davoud, a Afghan national, was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas.  He was also convicted of possessing and carrying prohibited weapons.  He was arrested about three years ago.  

United States of America

The report examining the death penalty protocol in Tennessee has found that the Tennessee Department of Correction failed to follow its lethal injection protocol since it was implemented in 2018.  The drugs used in executions were not properly tested for contaminate.  This lack of testing was due, in part, to lack of communication between the Tennessee Department of Corrections and the pharmacy used to procure and test the drugs.  The pharmacy was never given a copy of the lethal injection protocol.  One person was mainly responsible for procuring the drugs and received little guidance or oversight which contributed to the mistakes.  Governor Bill Lee announced that there would be leadership changes within the department and that the lethal injection protocol and training will be revised.

Zambia

President Hakainde Hichilema announced on Friday, December 23, 2022, that the death penalty has been abolished in the nation.  Amnesty International, an organization that seeks to abolish the death penalty worldwide, has welcomed the announcement by President Hichilema.  Zambia is the 25th country in sub-Saharan Africa to abolish the death penalty.  

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