According to the statistics compiled by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, 121 individuals have been hanged between 20 December 2010 and 31 January 2011.
Only one day before two United Nations Special Rapporteurs asked the Islamic Republic of Iran for a moratorium on executions and a visit by the Rapporteurs, Iran’s Prosecutor General noted executions inside Birjand Prison, and spoke of more executions during the coming days. But these executions have not been reported by official sources, such as the Prosecutor’s website, and the South Khorasan Judiciary’s website, increasing concerns that numerous secret executions are taking place around the country.
On 31 January 2011, Fars News Agency reported that Mohseni Ejei told a press conference, “At dawn this morning, several drug traffickers were executed in Birjand, and over the past several days, also, several drug traffickers were executed in Tehran and Karaj.”
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has received reliable information from local sources that as many as fifty inmates have been executed inside the Birjand Prison over the past few months. Much like executions that have been taking place inside Mashad’s Vakilabad Prison, referenced in the UN Special Rapporteurs’ statement, the Iranian Judicial authorities have refrained from reporting the widespread executions. An informed source told the Campaign that over the past five months, more than 50 dr… >>>
