Iran executions: Alarming rise in use of death penalty in 2021 - report

Executions in Iran rose alarmingly by 25% last year and surged after hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi was elected president, two campaign groups say.

At least 333 people were put to death, according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and France's Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM).

The number of executions for drug-related offences - 126 - was five times higher than in 2020, their report says.

The figures are based both on official announcements and sources inside Iran. read more