At Least 20 Afghans Executed in Iran This Year

At least 20 Afghan nationals have been executed in Iran since the beginning of 2026, according to human rights groups.

Reports say Afghan citizens have faced the death penalty in Iran almost every month this year. The cases involved allegations including drug-related crimes, murder, alleged spying for Israel and participation in anti-government protests.

Rights groups have raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the trials. They have also questioned whether the accused had adequate access to lawyers and whether their families were properly informed about the legal proceedings.

Most of the reported executions took place in prisons in Shiraz, Taybad, Yazd and Isfahan. Human rights organizations say many executions in Iran are carried out without official announcements, making it difficult to determine the exact number.

Hengaw reported that at least 85 Afghan nationals were executed in Iran in 2025.