Introduction
The issuance of death sentences against political prisoners in Iran is one of the most severe human rights violations in the country. The Iranian regime uses charges such as “Moharebeh” (enmity against God) and “Efsad-e Fil Arz” (corruption on earth) as tools to suppress protesters, political activists, and dissidents. Prisoners who are subjected to torture, denied access to independent legal representation, and tried in secret courts ultimately face death sentences based not on real evidence but on forced confessions.
This report is the fourth installment in a special series on political prisoners sentenced to death in Iran. In previous editions, we covered the cases of Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo, Mehdi Hassani, Manouchehr Fallah, and Abolhassan Montazer. In this issue, we focus on the case of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani, a political prisoner on death row in VakilAbad Prison, Mashhad.
Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani: An Athlete Sentenced to Death
Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani, born in 1996, was a boxing champion in Mashhad’s school sports competitions and a coach at local gyms. During the nationwide protests of November 2019, he was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). After enduring 65 days of severe physical and psychological torture, he was transferred to VakilAbad Prison, Mashhad, in March 2020.
On January 9, 2022, Judge Mansouri of Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death on charges of “corruption on earth” due to “deliberate arson and destruction of government buildings.”
In December 2022, the Supreme Court overturned this ruling and referred the case back for review. However, on July 24, 2023, Branch 2 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court once again upheld the death sentence.
Finally, on September 18, 2024, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court reaffirmed the death sentence for the third time. This time, two judges, Yazdan-Khah and Saadi-Makan, issued the ruling.
Response from His Lawyer and the Supreme Court
Babak Paknia, a defense attorney, commented on Vafaei Thani’s case on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):
“For the second time, Branch 9 of the Supreme Court has opposed the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani and overturned the ruling, referring the case to a parallel court. However, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court disregarded the Supreme Court’s decision and reissued the death sentence.”
Threat of Execution and Dire Conditions in Prison
On July 19, 2023, the supervising judge of Vakil Abad Prison officially notified Vafaei Thani of his confirmed death sentence. Just hours later, he was removed from his ward and taken to an undisclosed location, raising serious concerns about the imminent execution of his sentence.
A source close to the case stated: “On the morning of July 19, prison officials informed him that his execution order had been confirmed. A few hours later, he was removed from his ward, and there was no information on his whereabouts. This was a clear threat to enforce the sentence.”
Violation of Basic Rights and Denial of Medical Treatment
Since 2019, Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani has been detained in Vakil Abad Prison and, in violation of the principle of separating prisoners based on their charges, has been held alongside violent criminals. This is one of the methods used to exert pressure on political prisoners.
He has been suffering from severe tendon damage in his knee and chronic pain for months. Although prison doctors have prescribed physiotherapy, authorities have refused to allow his transfer to medical facilities.
Additionally, Vafaei Thani has been deprived of access to the prison gym. Despite doctors’ recommendations that exercise is essential for his recovery, prison officials have deliberately denied him access to sports equipment.
Will the International Community Remain Silent?
The case of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani is yet another example of systematic human rights violations in Iran. His unfair trial, lack of adherence to the principle of separation of prisoners, torture, and denial of medical care are clear breaches of international human rights conventions regarding prisoners.
Despite repeated international calls for the cessation of political executions in Iran, will the global community remain silent once again? Or will serious action be taken to prevent the execution of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani?
The reports on the status of political prisoners on death row will continue in future editions.
