On the morning of Saturday, September 6, 2025, Mehran Bahramian, a 32-year-old political prisoner, was executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. He was arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, along with his brother Fazel Bahramian and several young people from Semirom. The official charge against him was the “killing of a security officer,” but available evidence and testimonies show that this case was not based on due process. Rather, it was part of a security-driven and retaliatory project aimed at intimidating the people of Semirom.
Secret Burial; Family Deprived of the Right to Mourn
Local sources reported that Mehran’s body was buried at dawn the same day in Bagh Rezvan Cemetery in Isfahan, without the presence of his family. Ministry of Intelligence agents informed the family of the burial and explicitly stated that no ceremony or gathering would be allowed. Heavy security presence outside the family home prevented people from expressing sympathy. Activists from Semirom stress that the refusal to transfer his body to his hometown was due to the government’s fear of public outrage and protests.
A Case Fabricated by the Security Apparatus
The process of arrest, trial, temporary release on bail, re-arrest, and eventual execution of Mehran Bahramian lacked any judicial independence. Mehran was temporarily released in February 2025, but this was a tactical move to defuse public anger in Semirom—a city that had been one of the focal points of resistance during the 2022 uprising.
Deadly Torture for Forced Confessions
After their arrest in December 2022, Mehran and Fazel were transferred to the IRGC Intelligence detention center in Dowlatabad, Isfahan. According to family members and informed sources, they were subjected to severe physical and psychological torture, including broken ribs and a ruptured eardrum in Mehran’s case. Fazel also suffered serious injuries to his head and face. These abuses were carried out not only to extract forced confessions but also to break their morale and instill fear in the community.
Clear Violation of Human Rights and Fair Trial Standards
On January 25, 2023, the Semirom Court of Appeals upheld the death sentences of Mehran and Fazel Bahramian. They were convicted of “enmity against God” and “acting against national security”—vague and political charges routinely used against protesters. The trial took place without access to an independent lawyer, without transparency, and under security pressure, constituting a flagrant violation of international human rights standards and the right to a fair trial.
Imminent Risk of Execution for Fazel Bahramian
Following Mehran’s execution, the family of Fazel Bahramian has also been summoned to Dastgerd Prison. It remains unclear whether this meeting is routine or an “final visit” before his possible execution. While some unofficial reports suggest his sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment, the heavy security presence in Semirom indicates that the risk of execution remains high.
Semirom Under Security Siege
Reports indicate that the Adab Boarding School in Semirom has been converted into a base for riot police. This move highlights the authorities’ fear of protests and their readiness to immediately suppress any public reaction.
