Human rights group Hengaw reports that Iran has executed 85 nationals from Afghanistan in 2025, highlighting a sharp rise in executions of foreign prisoners.
Human rights organization Hengaw reported that Iran has executed a total of 85 Afghan nationals since the beginning of 2025. The latest execution involved Bismillah Tajik, who was put to death on Sunday, December 28, at Bandar Abbas Central Prison.
Most of the executed individuals were charged with serious crimes such as murder and drug trafficking, according to Hengaw. These executions mark a continuation of an alarming trend observed in recent years.
Reports from other human rights organizations indicate that the number of Afghan executions in Iran has steadily increased following the establishment of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Advocates warn that these prisoners are often denied fair trials and legal representation.
A UN human rights spokesperson previously emphasized that Iran has repeatedly ignored international appeals to commute death sentences, raising concerns among global human rights bodies about the country’s compliance with international law.
The total number of Afghan executions in 2025 exceeds last year’s figure of at least 80, highlighting a growing pattern of punitive measures targeting Afghan nationals in Iran.
Iran ranks second in the world for the number of executions, only behind China, reflecting the regime’s reliance on capital punishment as a legal and political tool.
Human rights organizations have also pointed out that many of these cases involve allegations that are difficult to verify, raising fears about the impartiality and transparency of Iran’s justice system.
The surge in executions has prompted international condemnation, with multiple calls for Iran to respect the rights of foreign nationals and adhere to global human rights norms.
Advocates stress that immediate diplomatic engagement and monitoring are crucial to prevent further loss of life and protect vulnerable populations within Iran’s prisons.
