13 June 2026 :

May 31, 2026 - IRAN. Mohammad Akbarpournia executed in Tabriz on May 31

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was hanged in Tabriz Central Prison on 31 May 2026. His identity has been established as Mohammad Akbarpournia (photo), a 33-year-old father sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

A source told IHR: “Mohammad had worked as a master bricklayer since the age of 18. He married at 19 and had a 14-year-old son named Ramin. Due to severe financial hardships, they could barely pay their rent of 2,400,000 tomans, never mind the extra-curricular classes their son wanted to attend with his friends. Mohammad's wife was also unable to work because she had lost three fingers in a meat grinder when she was eight years old. After their son ran away from home for a few days due to their poverty, Mohammad quit his work, saying: ‘For the sake of my only son, Ramin, I will do whatever it takes.' He started drug dealing with his cousin to fulfil his son's wishes. He would say: ‘the whole world on one side, and my Ramin on the other; he must have whatever he asks for.' In the end, neither of them got what they wanted. Mohammad was arrested at home with 19 kilograms of methamphetamine (shisha) and opium. His cousin was sentenced to 18 years in prison while Mohammad received a death sentence, which was ultimately carried out.”

At the time of writing, his execution has not been reported by domestic media in Iran.