Iranian authorities execute athlete Ezzat Kazemzadeh in Gorgan

Hengaw – Saturday, August 1, 2026

Iranian authorities have executed Ezzat Kazemzadeh, a 33-year-old athlete from Gorgan, at Gorgan Central Prison following his conviction for "premeditated murder."

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Kazemzadeh was executed at dawn on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after being sentenced to death (qisas) by the Islamic Republic's judiciary.

Kazemzadeh had been imprisoned for the past four years after being arrested in connection with a street altercation stemming from what was described as an "honor-related" dispute. He was subsequently sentenced to qisas (retribution in kind).

Iranian state media and judiciary-affiliated outlets had not announced the execution.