Iran recently executed four individuals convicted of selling contaminated bootleg alcohol, which led to the deaths of 17 people and caused many others to be hospitalized in June 2024. The alcohol was found to contain methanol, a toxic substance that can cause severe poisoning. A total of 11 people were charged, but only four received the death sentence, while others were handed prison terms. The incident occurred in Alborz province, west of Tehran.
The sale and consumption of alcohol have been illegal in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, leading to a thriving underground market where bootleg alcohol is often tainted with dangerous substances. Iran has seen a rise in deaths due to counterfeit alcohol, with over 600 fatalities reported in the year leading up to March 2024.
The defendants had the opportunity to appeal their sentences to the Supreme Court.
