Halwash reported that Khoda Rahim Popalzai, an Afghan national, was executed in Bandar Abbas prison on Monday without prior notification to his family.

Popalzai was arrested two years ago on charges of drug trafficking and sentenced to death by the court.

The report stated that Popalzai was transferred to solitary confinement two days before the execution, which took place early Monday morning.

Halwash pointed out that the execution was carried out without allowing Popalzai a final meeting with his family, sparking outrage and criticism from human rights groups.

This marks the third execution of Afghan nationals in Iran in the past week. On Saturday, the Iranian Organization for Human Rights reported that 10 prisoners, including an Afghan, were executed in Qezel Hesar prison in Karaj. The Afghan was convicted of “premeditated murder” and sentenced to life imprisonment.

In addition, the Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported last week that another Afghan prisoner was executed in Zahedan Central Prison. He was accused of drug trafficking by the Iranian judiciary.

The Iranian Human Rights Organization announced earlier this month that executions of Afghans in Iran have increased since the Taliban took power. Since 2022, at least 90 Afghan nationals have been executed in Iran, including 49 cases this year alone.

The situation of Afghan refugees in Iran continues to worsen, especially for those held in Iranian prisons. Many face a lack of access to legal representation, endure harassment and torture by Iranian authorities, and suffer violations of their fundamental rights.

Detainees are often denied fair trials and subjected to inhumane treatment.

Moreover, the forced deportations of Afghan refugees, even those with valid legal documents, highlight the precarious situation of this vulnerable group.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly called on Iran to uphold the rights of Afghan refugees and detainees, urging the global community to address these injustices.