Barkat-Ali Sanjerani, a Baloch prisoner, was executed at dawn on Monday, August 26, 2024, in Zahedan Central Prison.
According to the Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, this 25-year-old inmate from Zahedan had previously been sentenced to death on charges of murder. Despite his claims of innocence and requests for a retrial, his execution was carried out early this morning.
It is worth noting that Barkat-Ali Sanjerani was first transferred to solitary confinement on August 6, 2024, in preparation for his execution. However, following public protests and pressure, the execution was temporarily halted, and he was returned to the general ward.
Nevertheless, on August 24, he was once again moved to solitary confinement and executed at dawn on August 26.
In an audio file released on social media, Barkat-Ali Sanjerani emphasized his innocence and pleaded with the victim’s family to forgive him in order to prevent the execution.
The execution of Barkat-Ali Sanjerani takes place amidst ongoing concerns about the rising number of executions in Iran, particularly among ethnic and religious minorities.