Iran has executed at least 20 Afghan nationals by hanging since the beginning of 2026, according to human rights organizations monitoring executions in the country.

Reports reviewed by the groups indicate that executions of Afghan citizens have been recorded in almost every month of the year. The reported charges include drug-related offenses, murder, espionage on behalf of Israel, and participation in anti-government protests.

Human rights organizations have raised concerns over whether defendants in these cases received fair trials, citing questions surrounding access to legal representation, judicial transparency and effective opportunities to defend themselves.

According to the reports, at least three other Afghan nationals have also been sentenced to death.

Most of the documented executions reportedly took place at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Taybad Prison, Yazd Prison and Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

Among the cases highlighted by rights groups are those of two cousins, Gol Mohammad Mohammadi and Qayem Hosseini, who were sentenced to death following trials linked to anti-government protests in Isfahan in January.

Human Rights Organization Iran and Hengaw also reported that three Afghan nationals — Afshar Shah-Ahmadi, Iman Shafayi and Sadruddin Ahmadzadeh — were executed in July after being convicted of involvement in the burning of a police station.

Rights groups say their concerns extend beyond the executions themselves, pointing to alleged shortcomings in investigations, access to legal counsel and transparency in capital punishment cases.

Activists also say some executions in Iran are carried out without official announcements, making it difficult to determine the full number of Afghan nationals executed in the country.

According to Hengaw, at least 85 Afghan citizens were executed in Iran in 2025.

Da Afghanistan Bank (central bank) says it has collected and destroyed worn-out banknotes worth around AFN 2.5 billion over the past year as part of efforts to maintain the quality of currency in circulation.

Hasibullah Noori, spokesperson for Da Afghanistan Bank, said citizens can exchange worn banknotes for new ones by visiting the central bank or commercial banks.

The move comes as some citizens and money changers report an increase in worn banknotes in the market. They say such notes are often difficult to use in daily transactions, with some people refusing to accept them.

Money changers say the situation has created difficulties in routine transactions and called for more worn banknotes to be removed from circulation.

Da Afghanistan Bank has urged citizens to take better care of Afghan currency to prevent banknotes from becoming worn before the end of their expected lifespan. The bank says premature replacement and printing of banknotes imposes additional costs.

Bank officials said new banknotes are being injected into circulation based on monetary policy and market demand.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), says the government is working to resolve the issue of girls’ education beyond grade six.

Speaking on the “Government in the Media Mirror” program on Sunday, Mujahid said the issue remains under review and efforts are ongoing to address what he described as a gap in the country’s education system.

He said one in every four Afghans is currently engaged in education, adding that expanding education, developing higher education, strengthening scientific research and improving human resources remain among the government’s priorities.

Mujahid’s remarks come as girls above grade six have remained barred from secondary schools in Afghanistan since the IEA returned to power in 2021. The authorities have repeatedly said the issue is being considered but have not announced a timeline for reopening secondary schools to girls.

According to Mujahid, 238 new schools and religious schools were built across Afghanistan over the 1447 Islamic Hijri year, while 970 others were renovated or rebuilt.

He said more than 38,000 public and private schools are currently operating across the country, with more than 7.62 million students enrolled. More than 2.4 million students are also studying at religious schools, he added.

Mujahid further said more than 212,000 students are enrolled in public and private universities, while over 77,855 students are studying at technical and vocational schools and institutes.

He also said the General Directorate of Examinations held 53 university entrance examination sessions last year, with 189,169 candidates participating.

On scientific research, Mujahid said 14 research projects were completed and 164 scientific papers were published by the Academy of Sciences during the past year. He added that 100 conferences and six scientific seminars were also held, while work continues on 192 research projects.