The Iranian judiciary executed two Kurdish political prisoners on charges of “armed rebellion” and membership in “separatist groups”—a reference to Kurdish political parties—according to an announcement by the judiciary-linked Mizan Online website on Thursday (May 21, 2026).
The website stated that “Ramin Zaleh and Karim Marouf-pour were executed by hanging,” leveling several accusations against them, including “forming a group with the aim of destabilizing the country’s security,” “opening fire,” and “carrying out assassination attempts.”
It added that the death sentences were carried out this morning “after their cases were reviewed by judicial authorities and the verdicts were upheld by the country’s Supreme Court,” without disclosing the location of the executions.
Background on the Executed Individuals
According to available information:
Ramin Zaleh: A Kurdish citizen from the city of Naqadeh, he was sentenced to death by the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad on charges of “baghi” (armed rebellion against the state) through membership in the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI). Human rights organizations report that Zaleh was officially notified of his sentence on December 6, 2025.
Karim Marouf-pour: Aged 29 and also from Naqadeh, he received a death sentence from the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad for “baghi” via membership in the PDKI. He was arrested by Iranian authorities on March 23, 2021, in the city of Sardasht, and was officially notified of his sentence on December 6, 2025.
Surge in Executions
In a related context, Iran has witnessed an escalation in the implementation of death sentences in recent months. Since the beginning of March, at least 27 people have been executed on charges related to armed attacks, destabilizing national security, and cooperation with Israel and the United States.
On Wednesday, Iranian authorities also executed a man in his early thirties after convicting him of espionage for Israeli intelligence, marking the sixth person to be executed on such charges since the outbreak of the war.
Statistical Overview
According to the organization Iran Human Rights:
Iran carried out at least 1,639 executions by hanging during the past year.
The organization has recorded at least 194 executions since the beginning of 2026.
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version… Read the Arabic version: Click here
