of Iranian Political Prisoners Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani
Amnesty International has issued an urgent call for global action to stop the execution of two Iranian political prisoners, Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani, following the rejection of their second judicial review request. The organization posted a statement on the social media platform X, expressing grave concern about the imminent risk of execution facing the two men at Qezel-Hesar Prison.
“Amnesty International is gravely concerned that Behrouz Ehsani & Mehdi Hassani are at imminent risk of execution in Ghezel Hesar prison after their 2nd judicial review request was rejected. Global action is needed NOW urging Iran’s authorities to halt any plans to execute them!”
Amnesty International had previously called for urgent action in March 2025, demanding a halt to the executions of the two men and an end to systematic executions in Iran.
In its earlier urgent action appeal, the organization stated:
“Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani were convicted in a joint trial lasting only five minutes on August 10, 2024, before Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. The proceedings were grossly unfair. For nearly two years, from the time of their arrests until shortly before the trial, they were denied access to legal counsel. Allegations of torture were never investigated, they were not permitted to speak during their trial, and they were denied a hearing before an independent, competent, and impartial tribunal.”
About Political Prisoner Mehdi Hassani
Mehdi Hassani, born in 1976 in the city of Rey, is 48 years old, married, and the father of three children. He was arrested on September 11, 2022, in Zanjan and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is operated by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. He was subjected to prolonged physical and psychological torture before being moved to Ward 8 of Evin Prison.
Hassani has been charged with baghi (armed rebellion), moharebeh (enmity against God), efsad fel-arz (corruption on earth), membership in the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), collection of classified information, and assembly and collusion against national security.
In January 2025, Amnesty International issued an official statement urging the immediate suspension of the death sentences against both Hassani and Ehsani. The organization noted that the men had been held in solitary confinement for extended periods and subjected to torture and ill-treatment to coerce confessions.
About Political Prisoner Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo
Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo, born in 1955 in Urmia and residing in Tehran, is 70 years old. He holds a high school diploma, is self-employed, married, and the father of two children. He also supports his elderly mother.
Ehsani was arrested in November 2022 at his home amid the nationwide protests of 2022 and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After enduring three and a half months of torture and interrogation, he was moved to Ward 4 of the same prison.
On September 21, 2024, after 22 months of detention without a verdict, Ehsani was sentenced to death alongside Mehdi Hassani by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The charges against Ehsani are identical to those faced by Hassani: baghi, moharebeh, efsad fel-arz, membership in the MEK, collection of classified information, and conspiracy against national security.
Both prisoners were recently transferred to an undisclosed location, raising further concerns about the possibility of imminent execution.
Amnesty International continues to call on the international community to urgently intervene and pressure Iranian authorities to halt the executions and ensure fair legal proceedings for the accused.
