Sparks Outcry Over Use of Iran’s Judiciary to Suppress Dissent
The Iranian judiciary has sentenced Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, a Kurdish political prisoner, to death—a ruling his family and rights groups say exemplifies the state’s increasing use of capital punishment to silence civil resistance.
Zhina Babamiri, the prisoner’s daughter, made the sentence public in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating simply and painfully: “My father has been sentenced to death.” The charges against him, she wrote, stem largely from allegations that he provided medication to injured protesters during the 2022 nationwide demonstrations. His only proven actions appear to be anonymous humanitarian aid and the purchase of a Starlink satellite internet device for personal use—neither of which involves violence or armed activity.
A Case Built on Thin Grounds
Beigzadeh Babamiri has been held in Urmia Central Prison for over two years. His case includes multiple severe accusations commonly used against political dissidents in Iran. Although a 15-year prison sentence was recently finalized for a portion of his charges, a separate case was opened under the charge of baghi (armed rebellion)—a capital offense under Iranian law.
Despite the gravity of the charge, no evidence has surfaced linking Beigzadeh Babamiri to armed activity. Human rights observers report that the judicial process has been deeply flawed: the prisoner was allegedly denied access to a lawyer of his choice, subjected to torture, and tried in closed-door hearings that failed to meet international standards for fair trials.
A List of Charges
The indictment against Beigzadeh is sweeping. It includes accusations of:
- Moharebeh (waging war against God)
- Baghi (armed rebellion)
- Assembly and collusion against national security
- Financing terrorism
- Spying
- Propaganda against the regime
- Illegal possession of weapons
- Use of unauthorized communications equipment (e.g., Starlink)
- Membership in illegal organizations
Despite the breadth of these charges, his legal team asserts that no credible evidence has been presented to substantiate them.
Protest Through Hunger
In protest of what he described as an opaque and unjust process, Beigzadeh began a hunger strike on February 7, 2025. His physical condition deteriorated rapidly, adding urgency to calls from his family and human rights defenders for intervention.
Beigzadeh’s case reflects a broader trend in Iran’s judicial practices, where laws intended for national security are weaponized to criminalize dissent and humanitarian acts. Such proceedings are designed not to uphold justice but to instill fear and suppress civic participation.
