The Supreme Court of Iran has rejected the retrial request for Pakhshan Azizi, a political prisoner currently held in Evin Prison, raising serious concerns about the imminent execution of her death sentence.
Amir Raeesian, Azizi’s lawyer, announced the decision in an interview with the Shargh news agency on February 6, 2025. He stated that Branch 9 of the Supreme Court issued the ruling on January 25, 2025, and formally communicated it to the defense team on February 6, 2025. Raeesian emphasized the urgency of filing another retrial request, warning that the case has been referred to the Execution of Sentences Office, making the enforcement of the death penalty imminent.
Background on Pakhshan Azizi’s Case
Pakhshan Azizi, a Kurdish political activist from Mahabad and a social work graduate from Allameh Tabatabai University, is currently imprisoned in the women’s ward of Evin Prison. She was sentenced to death by Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership in opposition groups.” The Supreme Court upheld her death sentence in late February 2025.
In addition to Azizi, the Supreme Court has also confirmed the death sentences of two other political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo and Mehdi Hassani. On January 26, 2025, Eslamloo and Hassani were transferred to the high-security ward of Ghezel Hesar Prison in preparation for their executions, prompting international condemnation. However, following the acceptance of their retrial requests, the two were later moved back to the ward for political prisoners in Ghezel Hesar.
Arrest and Allegations
Azizi was arrested on August 4, 2023, in Tehran’s Kharazi district by security forces. She was subjected to interrogation and torture at the Ministry of Intelligence detention center before being transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. She was later moved to the women’s ward, where she remains detained.
Reports indicate that Azizi was forced to make coerced confessions under torture and severe pressure from security forces. In the winter of 2023, Branch 5 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office officially charged her with “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership in opposition groups.”
Her trial took place in two sessions on May 28 and June 16, 2024, at Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.
A History of Political Persecution
Azizi has a history of political activism and state persecution. She was first arrested in November 2009 during a student protest against the execution of Kurdish political prisoners. She was released on March 19, 2010, after posting heavy bail of 1 billion rials (approximately $100,000 at the time).
Her most recent arrest took place on August 4, 2023, when security forces detained her on charges of “membership in opposition groups.”
