Five Turkish prisoners executed at Tabriz Central Prison; one hanged after attempted suicide

Hengaw – Monday, July 20, 2026

Iranian authorities have executed at least five Turkish prisoners at Tabriz Central Prison in recent days. They had been sentenced to death in separate cases on charges of drug-related offenses and "premeditated murder." One of the prisoners, Sohrab Nourmohammadi, was hanged after attempting suicide.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the executions of Sohrab Nourmohammadi, 40, from Jolfa, Sajjad Alizadeh, 31, from Varzaqan County, and Fardin Bernal, 31, from Tabriz, were carried out on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

Nourmohammadi had been arrested three years earlier, Alizadeh six years earlier, and Bernal four years earlier on drug-related charges. All three were later sentenced to death.

Hengaw has learned that Nourmohammadi attempted suicide before his execution. Despite his critical condition, prison authorities took him to the gallows and carried out the execution.

Authorities also executed Ezzat Khosronejad, 30, from Hashtrud, and Javad Abolfathi, 36, from Tabriz, at the same prison on Monday, July 13, 2026. Abolfathi had been arrested nine years earlier and Khosronejad two years earlier on charges of "premeditated murder." Both were later sentenced to death.

Neither Iran's judiciary-affiliated media nor official authorities had announced the executions of the five prisoners.