Iran, Aug 30, 2026 (Khaama Press News Agency) – At least 20 Afghan nationals have been executed in Iranian prisons since the beginning of 2026, according to a review of reports published by Iranian human rights organisations, raising fresh concerns over due process, access to legal representation and transparency in death penalty cases.

The reports indicate that at least one Afghan national has been executed every month so far this year, while at least three others have been sentenced to death.

The cases involve allegations ranging from drug-related offences and murder to alleged espionage for Israel and participation in anti-government protests.

Iranian human rights organisations have raised concerns over what they describe as a lack of transparent oversight in capital punishment cases. They have also questioned whether defendants are being given adequate access to lawyers and fair trials, while families are reportedly often left unaware of the legal status or fate of their relatives.

Most of the documented executions were carried out at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Taybad Prison, Yazd Prison and Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, according to the reports.

Drug-related offences account for a significant proportion of the cases, while other Afghan defendants have faced charges of murder, alleged espionage for Israel and involvement in anti-government protests.

In one of the latest cases cited by rights groups, Gol Mohammad Mohammadi and Qaim Hosseini, two cousins, were tried and sentenced to death in connection with the so-called Alikhani Square case in Isfahan, which has been linked to protests that took place in Iran in January 2026.

Separately, three Afghan nationals—Afshar Shah-Ahmadi, Iman Shafaei and Sadruddin Ahmadzadeh—were sentenced to death in July. According to Human Rights Iran and Hengaw, they were convicted of allegedly taking part in the burning of a police station.

Human rights groups say concerns extend beyond the executions themselves to the way capital cases are investigated and prosecuted. They have questioned whether defendants receive adequate legal assistance, whether families are properly informed about judicial proceedings and whether those facing execution are given a meaningful opportunity to mount an effective defence.

Rights organisations also say a significant number of executions in Iran are carried out without official public announcements, making it difficult to determine the full scale of executions involving Afghan nationals.

According to Hengaw, at least 85 Afghan nationals were executed in Iran in 2025.

The continuing executions have also drawn criticism over what rights groups describe as a lack of visible public action by the Taliban authorities on behalf of Afghan citizens facing the death penalty in Iran.