HRANA – Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, a 67-year-old political prisoner from Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the city’s Revolutionary Court on the charge of “collaboration with anti-regime groups,” based on highly limited and unreliable evidence.

Her trial was held last week via video conference, during which Judge Ahmad Darvish issued the death verdict. According to her family, the entire judicial process was “symbolic and unlawful.”

Her child told HRANA: “The hearing lasted less than ten minutes. My mother had no meaningful access to an independent lawyer. The court-appointed attorney confirmed and signed the verdict without any defense. The whole trial was a show.” They added, “My mother has never had any connection with political or opposition groups; the charges against her are entirely fabricated.”

According to the family, Zahra Shahbaz Tabari was arrested on April 17, 2025, at her home by security agents and later transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht. During the arrest, the agents searched her home and confiscated her and a family member’s mobile phones and laptop.

The family reports that the alleged evidence in the case is extremely limited and unreliable, including “a piece of fabric bearing the slogan ‘Woman, Resistance, Freedom’” and “an unpublished voice message,” with no proof of organizational or military links. Her child noted that authorities even attempted to accuse her of possessing weapons, claims the family described as “ridiculous and baseless,” particularly given her age and background.

Zahra Shahbaz Tabari is an electrical engineer, a member of the Iranian Engineering Organization, and a graduate of Isfahan University of Technology. She holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Energy from Borås University in Sweden. Her family stated that she was previously arrested for posting peaceful content on social media and was released after three months under electronic monitoring.

In a letter sent by her child to HRANA, they wrote: “She has been detained for about six months or more. The trial was virtual, and the judge announced the death sentence with a smile in a ten-minute session. The appointed lawyer also smiled upon hearing the verdict.” The letter describes severe due process violations and a lack of real evidence, calling the verdict “another example of human rights violations in the Islamic Republic.”

The family added that judicial authorities have accused Ms. Shahbaz Tabari of collaborating with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), and they have been given seven days to appeal the verdict. Her son’s letter concludes: “We will do everything we can,” calling on human rights organizations, media, and the public for urgent attention and action.