In the early hours of Sunday, August 23, 2026, the Iranian regime executed a female prisoner, identified as “Maryam” in Ghezelhesar Prison in Karaj.
Maryam, a native of Karaj, had previously been arrested on charges of murder and sentenced to death by the clerical regime’s judiciary. Over the past week, she was subjected to severe psychological torment. She was initially transferred to solitary confinement to face execution, but after a temporary stay, she was returned to the general ward. However, prison authorities transferred her back to solitary confinement on Saturday, August 22, and carried out her death sentence early Sunday morning.
Maryam’s execution in Ghezelhesar Prison brings the total number of women executed in Iran since the beginning of 2026 to at least 22.
Iran, the world record holder in executing women
According to data recorded by the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, at least 350 women have been executed in Iran since 2007.
Many of the women executed by the Iranian regime are themselves victims of domestic violence and discriminatory family laws. A significant number have acted in self-defense.
Since Masoud Pezeshkian took office, the clerical regime has executed more than 4,000 prisoners, including 110 women.
According to the NCRI sources, in 2025 alone, more than 2,201 executions were recorded in Iran, more than double the number carried out in 2024 (1,006).
Amnesty International confirmed in its annual report that Iran’s ruling dictatorship carried out at least 2,159 executions in 2025, the highest documented annual execution rate worldwide since 1981.
The NCRI Women’s Committee calls on the United Nations and relevant agencies, the European Union and its member states, as well as all human rights defenders, to take effective measures to halt the rampant executions in Iran.
