Introduction: A Catastrophe in the Making
The Iranian regime has once again demonstrated its systematic violation of human rights by issuing death sentences for political prisoners, including Pouya Ghobadi and five others. This report focuses on the case of Pouya Ghobadi, a 32-year-old electrical engineer from Sonqor, and his co-defendants—Vahid Bani-Amerian, Babak Alipour, Seyed Abolhassan Montazer, Seyed Mohammad Taghavi, and Ali Akbar Daneshvarkar. It presents compelling evidence of unfair trials, torture, and inhumane prison conditions. The goal of this report is to attract the urgent attention of the international community and call for immediate intervention to halt these unjust sentences.
Pouya Ghobadi: From Political Activist to Death Row Inmate
Pouya Ghobadi, born in 1992 in Sonqor, graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Sanandaj University. Since 2018, he has been repeatedly targeted by Iran’s judiciary due to his political activities. His arrests include:
- May 2018: Arrested in Tehran and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion.”
- March 2019: Arrested again and held in solitary confinement in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for three months under severe torture, which led to internal bleeding and month-long rectal bleeding. He was then transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison, where mistreatment and beatings continued.
- December 2021: Sentenced to ten years in prison and exile to Nikshahr by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Amouzad. This sentence was upheld on appeal.
- February 23, 2024: Arrested in Chaldoran while attempting to cross the border, transferred to Maku Prison, and later moved to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.
The charges against him included “acting against national security through membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK),” “propaganda against the regime,” “destruction of state property,” and “assembly and collusion.”
- On December 1, 2024, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Pouya Ghobadi and five other prisoners to death on charges of “rebellion (Baghi).” This sentence was issued following repeated arrests and trials lacking transparency and fairness.
Gross Violations of Fair Trial Standards
The trials of Pouya Ghobadi and his co-defendants blatantly violated international legal standards:
- Torture for Forced Confessions: Reports indicate severe torture in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. For instance, in 2018, Pouya was beaten so badly that he suffered internal bleeding. Amnesty International has also documented torture methods such as flogging, prolonged solitary confinement, and death threats.
- Denial of Access to Legal Representation: The defendants were deprived of independent legal counsel from arrest to trial. Some, including Pouya, only met their court-appointed lawyer during the trial session.
- Vague and Unsubstantiated Charges: The charge of “Baghi” was presented without concrete evidence. The defendants denied the use of weapons, but the court ignored their objections.
- Lack of Transparency in Trials: Court sessions were held behind closed doors without independent observers.
Inhumane Prison Conditions: Punishment Before Execution
Prisoners in facilities such as Evin, Greater Tehran, and Gohardasht have endured inhumane conditions:
- Physical and Psychological Torture: In 2022, Pouya was brutally attacked with a knife and a thermos by hired inmates in Greater Tehran Prison, resulting in severe injuries.
- Solitary Confinement: Following his arrest in February 2024, he was kept in solitary confinement in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for months and denied contact with his family.
- Forced Transfers: Authorities attempted to exile him to prisons in Qasr-e Shirin and Dieselabad, Kermanshah—far from his family in Tehran—as a means of psychological pressure.
- Denial of Medical Care: Reports indicate that Pouya suffered extreme physical weakness due to torture, yet he was denied medical treatment.
Death Sentences: Escalating Political Repression
On December 1, 2024, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced six political prisoners to death:
- Pouya Ghobadi Beistoun
- Vahid Bani-Amerian (arrested in Tehran on December 22, 2023, subjected to severe beatings that caused eye injuries)
- Babak Alipour
- Seyed Abolhassan Montazer
- Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi
- Ali Akbar (Shahrokh) Daneshvarkar
The main charge was “Baghi through membership in the PMOI/MEK.” However, evidence suggests that these accusations were based on forced confessions and lacked credible supporting documentation. On January 24, 2025, Amnesty International condemned these sentences as the outcome of “grossly unfair trials” and demanded their immediate reversal.
Impact on Families and Society: The Human Cost
- Pressure on Families: Pouya Ghobadi’s family has been repeatedly threatened and barred from sharing information about his condition.
- Fear and Suppression: Executions are used as a tool to intimidate political and civil activists.
- Erosion of Trust in Justice: The immunity of judicial and intelligence officials has destroyed confidence in the legal system.
Iran’s Track Record of Human Rights Violations: A Repeating Pattern
The Iranian regime has a long history of executing political prisoners, including the 1988 massacre, which claimed thousands of lives. The continuation of this policy in 2024 demonstrates the regime’s unwavering commitment to repression. Reports from the United Nations and Amnesty International classify these actions as crimes against humanity.
Urgent Calls to the International Community
Based on the evidence presented, human rights organizations must:
- Demand an Immediate Halt to the Executions: Apply pressure on Iran to revoke the death sentences of Pouya Ghobadi and his co-defendants.
- Call for an Independent Investigation: Establish a fact-finding committee to examine torture and unfair trials.
- Sanction Responsible Officials: Target judges (such as Iman Afshari and Amouzad) and intelligence agents with international sanctions.
- Ensure Protection of Prisoners: Guarantee their access to legal counsel, family visits, and medical care.
- Apply Diplomatic Pressure: Urge governments to summon Iranian ambassadors and condemn these sentences.
Conclusion: The Urgency of Saving Lives
Pouya Ghobadi and five other prisoners face imminent execution, victims of unfair trials and a repressive system. Any delay in global response could mean the loss of innocent lives. This report serves as a call to international organizations to stand against this human rights catastrophe and uphold the right to life.
