The Norway-based rights group Hengaw says Iranian authorities have executed two Afghan nationals on drug trafficking charges. According to the group, Mobarak Mohammadi, 43, and Qasem Molla Amini, 49, were hanged at Isfahan Central Prison, also known as Dastgerd Prison, on October 21. Iranian state media and judicial authorities have not confirmed the executions.
According to sources, the two men were relatives from Sheberghan, capital of northern Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, and had been living in the Iranian city of Mashhad. They were arrested about two years ago while travelling to Isfahan, and the city's Revolutionary Court sentenced them to death in a joint case. Mohammadi was a father of four and Amini a father of three.
Iran is among the world's leading executioners. Figures from another group, Iran Human Rights, show at least 691 people have been executed in the country so far in 2026, including 23 women and 25 Afghan nationals.
Iran hosts millions of Afghan migrants and refugees. The UN and rights groups including Amnesty International have raised concerns about fair trials, access to lawyers and transparency in cases involving foreign nationals, and have urged Tehran to halt executions.