Fears are mounting that thousands of people have been sentenced to death and are at risk of execution or are facing investigations or prosecution on capital drug-related offences, amid a horrific surge in executions in Iran. In 2023, at least 481 people were executed for drug-related offences – over half of the total of at least 853 executions carried out. Members of the oppressed Baluchi minority were disproportionately impacted, accounting for 29% of all drug-related executions, despite making up about 5% of the population.
