HRANA – The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani, a political prisoner, has once again been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court after his request for retrial was rejected.

The informed source told HRANA: “On Monday, December 15, 2025, the rejection of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani’s request for retrial by the Supreme Court was formally communicated to him in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Following this notification, prison authorities informed the Vafaie family during a phone call that his case had been sent to the Mashhad Office for the Implementation of Sentences. In addition, his mother was unexpectedly granted an in-person visit. Taken together, final confirmation of the sentence, referral of the case for implementation, and the sudden family visit, these developments indicate that this political prisoner’s situation has entered a highly concerning stage.”

The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani had previously been overturned twice by the Supreme Court, but in recent months it was upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court. Following this decision, his defense attorney submitted another request for retrial, which was ultimately rejected. Most recently, in September 2024, Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death on charges of “corruption on earth.”

This 28-year-old political prisoner and boxing coach was arrested in Mashhad in March 2020 and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. In the initial stage of proceedings, he was also sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on charges of “corruption on earth through deliberate destruction.” That verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel branch for reconsideration. In the second trial, a death sentence was again issued, which was likewise overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2024.