At least 26 executed in Iran during April 2026, including 14 political prisoners

Hengaw – Friday, May 1, 2026

At least 26 prisoners, including 14 political prisoners, were executed in prisons across Iran during April 2026, according to data compiled by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.

According to Hengaw’s Statistics and Documentation Center, the figure marks a decrease of at least 96 executions, or 78.5%, compared with the same month last year, when at least 122 prisoners were executed in April 2025.

Hengaw has verified the identities of 25 of the 26 executed prisoners, while the identity of one prisoner remains under review.

Among those executed was Hanifeh Avandi, a 24-year-old Turkish woman, who was a victim of child marriage and forced marriage. She was executed in Tabriz Central Prison after being convicted in the killing of her husband.

Of the 26 executions recorded in April, only 15 cases — or 58% — were announced by Iranian official sources or judiciary-affiliated media outlets.

14 executions were carried out secretly, without prior notice to families and without allowing final visits.

Execution of 14 political prisoners

At least 14 political prisoners were executed during April on charges including Moharebeh (Waging war against God), membership in People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK) groups and espionage for Israel.

Those executed were identified as:

1. Amirhossein Hatami, 19, from Tehran, executed April 4 in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.
2. Abolhassan Montazer, from Tehran, executed April 4 in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
3. Vahid Bani Amerian, from Sonqor, executed April 4 in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
4. Mohammadamin Biglari, student from Tehran, executed April 5 in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
5. Shahin Vahedparast Kalouri, from Tehran, executed April 5 in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
6. Ali Fahim, from Tehran, executed April 6 in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
7. Hamed Validi, executed April 20 in Ghezel Hesar Prison on espionage charges.
8. Mohammad Masoumshahi, executed April 20 in Ghezel Hesar Prison on espionage charges.
9. Amirali Mirjafari, from Tehran, executed April 21 in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
10. Mehdi Farid, from Arak, executed April 22 in Ghezel Hesar Prison on espionage charges.
11. Soltanali Shirzadi-Fakhr, executed April 23 at an undisclosed location on espionage charges.
12. Erfan Kiani, from Isfahan, executed April 25 in Isfahan Central Prison.
13. Amer Ramesh, a 20-year-old Baloch prisoner from Zahedan, executed April 26 in Zahedan Central Prison.
14. Sasan Azadvar, a 21-year-old Lor protest detainee, executed April 30 in Isfahan Central Prison.

Executions by charges

Political and espionage-related cases accounted for the highest number of executions in April, with 14 cases, or 54% of the total.

Political and espionage charges: 14
Murder charges: 10
Drug-related charges: 2

Executions by ethnic/ national background

At least 12 Persian prisoners were executed in April, representing 46% of all recorded executions.

Persian prisoners: 12
Turkish prisoners: 7
Kurdish prisoners: 2
Lor prisoners: 2
Baloch prisoners: 1
Ethnicity unconfirmed: 2

Executions by province

The highest number of executions during the past three months was recorded in Alborz province, with 11 cases. In April alone, executions were carried out in at least nine provinces.

Alborz province: 11
East Azerbaijan province: 3
Isfahan province: 3
Kermanshah province: 2
Zanjan province: 2
Yazd province: 1
Lorestan province: 1
Ardabil province: 1
Sistan and Baluchestan province: 1
Undisclosed location: 1