Iran; 16 executions in Mashhad and Birjand

Sixteen prisoners were executed in just two days on April 16 and 17 in the cities of Mashhad and Birjand.
According to the reports, 12 of these 16 prisoners were executed in Mashhad’s vakil Abad prison, and 4 others condemned to death were hanged in Birjand prison.
Despite an increase in the course of executions during past weeks, Iranian officials and institutions have not reported these executions or bring any transparency to this evil practice. And in addition, the authorities have cut off all lines of communications and banning any contacts between the prisoners and outside world in order to keep this heinous act in secret. They have prevented information from leaking outside the prison and to the families.
According to reports recently obtained, implementing of capital punishment especially executions of drug addicts have been intensified while based on the past reports, the bill to annul execution of addicts which is considered a minor offence in other countries around the world is currently circulating in the parliament and is due to be voted on this year.