Five Mass Executions in Vakil Abad Prison Confirmed

HRANA News Agency – While confirming five mass hangings of prisoners in Vakil Abad Prison, the public and revolutionary prosecutor in the city of Mashhad said, “The media exaggerates the execution of citizens accused of drug trafficking.”

According to a report by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISANA), in an attempt to justify recent mass executions, Mahmoud Zoghi said, “Foreign and counter-revolutionary news agencies are making a big deal about this issue. It must be noted that Razavi Khorasan Province and the city of Mashhad border Afghanistan from where illegal drugs enter the country.”

Mahmoud Zoghi added, “Currently, Razavi Khorasan Province and the city of Mashhad have the worst drug-related crimes throughout the country. In some cases, drugs are even imported into Mashhad from other parts of Iran.”

Furthermore, the public and revolutionary prosecutor explained, “According to drug trafficking laws, the punishment for the transportation, possession and trading of more than 30 grams of heroin is the death sentence. Since the largest amount of heroin is imported into the Razavi Khorasan Province, naturally, the highest number of executions will take place here.”

Confirming that five mass executions have occurred this year, Mahmoud Zoghi added, “A lot of our drug trafficking cases are related to crimes involving more than 10 kilograms of heroin.”

While mentioning the names of various individuals who have been hanged for drug trafficking, Mahmoud Zoghi said, “Considering the number of cases we have had, these many hangings are proportionally adequate. Foreign media is exaggerating the issue for no reason.”