On Saturday, September 27, 2025, Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj sentenced two political prisoners, Hamed Validi, 45, a civil engineer, and Nima Shahi, 38, a technical worker, to death on charges of “enmity against God” and alleged links with the MEK opposition group.
Arrest and Charges
Hamed Validi and Nima Shahi were arrested on May 12, 2025, in Tehran during a raid on their family home. They were later transferred to a detention center in Karaj, where they reportedly faced prolonged interrogations. The charges brought against them included “collaboration with hostile groups,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “communication with Mossad.”
Court Proceedings and Verdict
The case involved four defendants in total. The Revolutionary Court sentenced Validi and Shahi to death, while the other two defendants received prison terms totaling more than 26 years. Authorities confirmed that the verdicts are preliminary and subject to appeal.
Concerns About Prisoners’ Conditions
Families of the two prisoners have expressed concern about the fairness of the judicial process and their limited access to independent legal counsel. Reports indicate that both men were subjected to harsh interrogations and difficult conditions during detention.
Current Status
The confirmation of these death sentences places the lives of Hamed Validi and Nima Shahi in serious danger. Their case highlights the growing trend of death penalty rulings in politically sensitive cases in Iran.
