Iranian authorities executed four individuals on Wednesday, who had been convicted of selling contaminated bootleg alcohol that resulted in the deaths of 17 people last year. The executions took place at Karaj Central Prison, according to a statement from Iran’s judiciary, reported by the Mizan news agency.
“The death penalty against four defendants in the case of poisoning caused by the consumption of alcoholic beverages was carried out at Karaj Central Prison,” the judiciary said.
The accused were originally sentenced to death in September 2023, following their involvement in selling the tainted alcohol. The contamination caused severe health consequences, killing at least 17 people and hospitalizing over 190 others in Alborz province, west of Tehran.
Iran has some of the highest execution rates globally, second only to China, according to human rights organizations like Amnesty International. The use of the death penalty, especially in cases related to drug trafficking and other crimes, has faced widespread international criticism.
Alcohol production and consumption have been banned in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Despite the ban, a black market for alcohol has persisted, leading to the production of illicit drinks. Often, this homemade alcohol becomes contaminated with toxic methanol, which is mistaken for ethanol, causing mass poisonings. The recent case that led to these executions is just one among many, with local media reporting that approximately 40 people have died from methanol poisoning in northern Iran in recent months.
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Earlier this month, Iranian media reported that five individuals were arrested in connection with the recent poisonings, with four facing charges that carried the death penalty. The government has been cracking down on the illegal alcohol trade, which has continued to thrive despite the risks associated with producing and consuming unregulated alcohol.
While the production and sale of alcohol are illegal for most Iranians, certain recognized Christian minorities, such as the Armenian community, are allowed to produce and consume alcohol. However, they must do so discreetly to avoid offending Islamic norms and sensibilities.