Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, west of Tehran, has become the primary site for Iran's execution of protest-era detainees during the 2026 conflict. Amirali Mirjafari was hanged there in the early hours of 21 April 2026 without a final family visit, the eighth such execution since the war began. Earlier, Ali Fahim, a 23-year-old protester, was executed at the same facility in March 2026 as part of a wave of 13 political executions in 18 days documented by Iran HRM.

The facility is under the jurisdiction of Iran's Prison Organisation and is known for holding both political prisoners and those convicted under national security charges. Qezel Hesar carries heavy historical weight: during the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners, hundreds of detainees, predominantly MEK (Mojahedin-e Khalq) supporters, were hanged at the prison in one of the largest extrajudicial killings in post-revolution Iran. Amnesty International has documented the 1988 killings as a crime against humanity. The spelling Ghezel Hesar appears in some human rights documentation, and the prison sits roughly 20 km west of central Tehran in Alborz Province.

Iran's internet blackout — maintained for more than 1,272 hours by Day 53 of the conflict — has been used to time executions when external scrutiny is lowest. Hengaw and Iran HRM have both documented Qezel Hesar executions during blackout windows, noting that families are typically informed after the fact rather than given opportunity for final visits.

Common Questions

Where is Qezel Hesar Prison in Iran?

Qezel Hesar Prison (also spelled Ghezel Hesar) is in Karaj, Alborz Province, approximately 20 km west of central Tehran.

How many protesters has Iran executed at Qezel Hesar in 2026?

At least four protest-era detainees were executed at Qezel Hesar in 2026, including Amirali Mirjafari (21 April) and Ali Fahim (March). Hengaw and Iran HRM have documented 13 political executions across multiple facilities in 18 days in March-April.Source: Hengaw, Iran HRM

Why is Iran executing protesters during the ceasefire?

Iran has carried out protest-era executions during blackout periods throughout the 2026 conflict, including during Ceasefire windows. Rights groups say the internet blackout is used to minimise international visibility.Source: Hengaw

How the World Sees Them

Diaspora

Iranian diaspora communities have organised public vigils naming each documented Qezel Hesar execution; Mirjafari's death prompted protests in London and Berlin.

Iran (state)

Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on the execution schedule at Qezel Hesar. The Prison Organisation maintains no public record of political executions.

International

UN Special Rapporteurs have cited Qezel Hesar in communications to Iran regarding execution of protesters, calling for immediate moratoriums.

Human rights organisations

Hengaw and Iran HRM document the facility as a site of systematic execution of protest-era prisoners, with no due process and families denied final visits.