Iran executed a convicted murderer at the exact crime scene in Kordkuy on Thursday, drawing global criticism.
Provincial judiciary chief Heidar Asiabi confirmed the execution happened at dawn. The convict had killed three people last year.
According to reports, the man shot a couple and a young woman with a hunting rifle. Officials said the crime shocked the community and demanded swift justice.
Most executions in Iran take place inside prisons. Authorities reserve public hangings for crimes that cause public outrage. By staging the execution at the crime scene, officials aimed to send a warning against violent crimes.
This hanging followed another public execution on Tuesday in Fars province. In that case, a man killed a mother and her three children during a robbery. His wife, who also received the death penalty, will face execution later inside prison.
Iran ranks second only to China in annual executions, according to Amnesty International and other rights groups. They reported more than 612 executions in the first half of 2025 alone.
The United Nations has repeatedly urged Tehran to suspend the death penalty. In July, the UN Human Rights Office warned Iran about the rising pace of executions. Officials stressed that public hangings violate international human rights standards.
Iran’s government defends its policy, insisting it reserves executions for severe crimes such as murder, rape, drug trafficking, and adultery. Authorities also impose death sentences for religious offences like “enmity against God” and “corruption on Earth.”
Human rights advocates argue these laws silence dissent and unfairly target vulnerable groups. They warn that public executions traumatize communities and normalize violence.
Despite criticism, Iran continues to use executions as a tool of deterrence. Authorities claim these punishments maintain social order and reflect Islamic legal principles.
The latest case in Kordkuy highlights the tension between cultural tradition and international human rights demands. As global outrage grows, pressure on Tehran to reform its justice system is mounting.
