Tag: Vakilabad prison

Death Sentence of Hossein Shahoozahi Upheld by the Supreme Court

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Executions, News
irgc, Razavi Khorasan Province, Vakilabad prison, Yousef Mohammad-Hosseini

HRANA – Hossein Shahoozahi, a detainee held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, a verdict that has recently been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Following his arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization, Shahoozahi has been accused of attempting to assassinate the Supreme Leader’s representative in Razavi Khorasan Province and of planning an attack on the governor’s office.

According to Haal Vsh, Mashhad Revolutionary Court had previously issued the initial death sentence against Shahoozahi, which has now been upheld by the country’s highest judicial authority.

Hossein Shahoozahi, 29, a native of Zahedan, is currently being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

He was arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces at the Mashhad bus terminal. On December 9, 2022, the Public Relations Office of the IRGC in Razavi Khorasan Province confirmed the arrest of several individuals, including Shahouzehi, claiming that they were affiliated with an opposition group. The IRGC’s statement further alleged that “a significant quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was discovered and confiscated from these individuals.”

Following his arrest, Shahoozahi faced multiple charges, including possession of weapons, attempting to assassinate Ahmad Alamolhoda -the Supreme Leader’s representative in Razavi Khorasan Province – and planning an attack on the governor’s office in Mashhad. The Revolutionary Court ultimately sentenced him to death. Throughout the judicial process, he was denied the right to access legal counsel.

According to local media reports, Shahouzehi was held for about six months in the IRGC Intelligence detention facility, where he was subjected to pressure and violent treatment by interrogators. During this period, he was also denied any contact or visits with his family.

Local sources further reported that Shahoozahi had been arrested simultaneously with another individual named Yousef Mohammad-Hosseini, 25, and a native of Mirjaveh. To date, there has been no information about Mohammad-Hosseini’s fate, which remains unknown.

Death Sentence of Mohammad-Javad Vafaei Sani Upheld by Supreme Court

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Paknia, HRANA, Mohammad Javad Vafaei, Vakilabad prison, محمد جواد وفایی ثانی

HRANA – The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaei Sani, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court, after having been overturned twice previously.

Attorney Babak Paknia announced the development on social media, writing: “The death sentence of Mr. Mohammad-Javad Vafaei Sani on the charge of corruption on earth (efsad fel-arz) through arson and destruction of public property has been upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court, despite numerous flaws. Regarding these flaws and the interference of third parties in the judicial process, correspondence has been made with the head of the judiciary. I hope that before it’s too late, his special inspectors will intervene in the case.”

Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaei Sani, a 28-year-old political prisoner and boxing coach, was arrested in March 2020 in Mashhad and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. He was initially sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on the charge of “corruption on earth through intentional destruction.” The Supreme Court overturned the verdict, sending the case back to a parallel branch for retrial.

In the second trial, he was again sentenced to death, but in June 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling once more and remanded the case for a third review.

In September 2024, Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court once again sentenced him to death on the charge of “corruption on earth.”

Omid Fathi on Hunger Strike in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Mashhad, Omid Fathi, Vakilabad prison, امید فتحی

HRANA – Political prisoner Omid Fathi has gone on hunger strike in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, in protest against his poor detention conditions and the authorities’ failure to uphold the principle of separation of crimes.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, explaining: “Mr. Fathi was recently transferred to Ward 103 of Vakilabad Prison by order of the prison’s internal management and security. He has been denied separation of crimes, and his detention conditions are harsh, particularly as he suffers from health problems, including a herniated disc. In protest against this situation, he began his hunger strike on Thursday, September 4.”

In June, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Fathi to a fine of 50 million tomans in lieu of six months in prison. Unable to pay the fine, he was subsequently arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

Fathi, a resident of Mashhad, has previously been targeted by security authorities in connection with his activities.

HRANA’s data from the past decade shows that during this ten-year period, over 2,050 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Iran prisons have been forced to go on hunger strike in protest of various abuses—including prolonged detention, being held in legal limbo, unfair trials, poor prison conditions, and being held in solitary confinement or alongside inmates convicted of violent crimes.

Two Prisoners Executed on Drug Charges in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Javad Soheili, Mashhad, Nader Sepahdar, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – At dawn on Sunday, August 17, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners executed at dawn on Sunday, August 17, as Javad Soheili and Nader Sepahdar. According to information received by HRANA, the two had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and official institutions have not announced these executions.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Prisoner Executed in Vakilabad Prison on Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Omid Azizian, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – At dawn on Wednesday, August 6, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of the executed prisoner as Omid Azizian, who was hanged at dawn on Wednesday, August 6.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Azizzian had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not announced the execution.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

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4 Prisoners Executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

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Executions, News
Bahman Piroozehi, Davood Najibollahi, HRANA, Mashhad, Mohammad Golestani, Reza Sarparast, Vakilabad prison

HRANA– At dawn yesterday, August 5, the death sentences of four prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

The identities of the executed prisoners have been reported by Iran Human Rights as Reza Sarparast (30), Davood Najibollahi (40), Bahman Piroozehi (30), and Mohammad Golestani (30), all residents of Mashhad.

According to the report, these individuals had been arrested four years ago on drug-related charges and were sentenced to death in a joint case.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Details on the Current Condition of Political Prisoner Omid Fathi in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Omid Fathi, Vakilabad prison, امید فتحی

HRANA – Omid Fathi, a political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad without being held separately from prisoners convicted of non-political crimes, in violation of the principle of separation of crimes.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Fathi is being held in Ward 104, designated for general crimes, without regard for the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their charges. On June 11, 2025, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to a fine of 50 million tomans in lieu of six months in prison. Due to his inability to pay the fine, he is now serving the prison sentence.

A source close to Mr. Fathi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “After his arrest, Omid Fathi was interrogated at Branch 901 of the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office and faced charges such as ‘propaganda against the regime,’ ‘disturbing public opinion,’ and ‘calling for an election boycott on social media.’ The charge of insulting judicial officials was also raised. Another part of his case, which includes charges such as insulting the Supreme Leader, was supposed to be handled in a separate court session. However, due to the timing of Israel’s attack on Iran, that session was not held.”

It is worth noting that Omid Fathi suffers from a Lumbar disc pain. According to the same source, due to sciatic nerve pressure, he walks with a stoop and is in poor physical condition.

Omid Fathi was arrested by security forces in Mashhad on June 3, 2025, and was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

Fathi, a resident of Mashhad, has previously faced security-related pressures due to his activism.

Two Prisoners Executed in Mashhad for Drug-Related Offenses

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Executions, News
Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, Yashar Haghdoost

HRANA News Agency – The death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted of drug-related offenses were carried out at dawn on Saturday, June 7, in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

The identity of one of the executed individuals, Yashar Haghdoost, has been confirmed by HRANA. He was hanged at dawn on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The identity of the second individual, an Afghan national, is still being investigated.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, both individuals had been arrested on charges related to drug offenses and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Ongoing Detention of 19 “Yamani” Followers in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Alireza Salim Kaviani, Amin-Akbari, Amir Zohan, Amir Zorami, Emad Eftetahi, Ghasem Hatami, Hamed Nejad-Nik, HRANA, IRGC forces, Mashhad, Mohammad Hossein Nazarnajhad, Mohammad Kazem Fathi, Mostafa Tavana, Reza Ghiasi, Sajjad Rezvan, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Seyed Yahya Tarrahomi, Vakilabad prison, Yamani

HRANA News Agency – Nineteen individuals affiliated with the “Yamani” religious movement, remain in legal limbo in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, one week after their arrest.

These detainees are Amir Zorami, Amin Akbari, Reza Ghiasi, Amir Zohan, Seyed Yahya Tarrahomi, Hamed Nejad-Nik, Emad Eftetahi, Alireza Salim Kaviani, Ghasem Hatami, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Sajjad Rezvan, Mohammad Hossein Nazarnajhad, Mostafa Tavana, Mohammad Kazem Fathi, and five others.

Based on information received by HRANA, these individuals were arrested by IRGC forces while attending a religious gathering.

As of the time of this report, no information has been released regarding the charges brought against these citizens.

Every year in Iran, individuals are arrested merely for claiming a connection to the Shi’a messianic figure, the Hidden Imam. The “Yemeni” movement, led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, operates based on messianic claims related to Mahdism.

Iran’s security apparatus—particularly the Ministry of Intelligence—maintains dedicated divisions tasked with confronting religions, spiritual groups, and ideological-religious communities that do not align with the state’s official ideology.

Prisoner Executed in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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Executions, News
Mashhad, Mohammad Ebrahim Esfandiari, Vakilabad prison

HRANA News Agency – On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of murder was carried out in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Iran Human Rights has identified the hanged prisoner as Mohammad Ebrahim Esfandiari, a resident of Mashhad. According to the report, he was arrested four years ago on charges of murder and later sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.