According to reports received by the Karoon Human Rights Organization, Iran’s Supreme Court has upheld and formally communicated the death sentences of five political prisoners held in Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz. The confirmation of these sentences, following judicial proceedings reportedly marked by serious violations of due process, denial of access to independent legal counsel, and reliance on forced confessions, has placed the lives of these five prisoners at imminent risk.
According to reliable reports, the latest developments in their cases are as follows:
On Wednesday, 12 November 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the “double death sentences” imposed on Masoud Jameii, Alireza Mardasi (Hamidavi), two Ahwazi Arab citizens, and Farshad Etemadifar from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. The rulings were formally communicated to their lawyers through Iran’s Sana electronic judiciary system. Reports indicate that the Supreme Court processed their appeals with unusual speed.
The three men, who are currently held in Ward 5 of Sheyban Prison, were tried on 14 July 2025 before Branch One of the Ahwaz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ehsan Adibimehr. They were charged with efsad-e fel-arz (“corruption on earth”), membership in armed groups opposing the Islamic Republic, “propaganda against the state,” and “assembly and collusion.” Informed sources reported that their interrogations were conducted under intense pressure by security authorities. Two other defendants in the same case, Saman Hormatnejad and Davoud Hormatnejad, were sentenced to 12 and 15 years’ imprisonment, respectively.
Hassan Musallawi (Torafi), a 38-year-old Ahwazi Arab civil and cultural activist, officially received notification of his death sentence in Sheyban Prison in June 2026. He has been detained since 2022 and was sentenced to death in absentia in August 2023 by Branch One of the Revolutionary Court in Ma’shour (Mahshahr), presided over by Judge Mehran Mehmannavaz.
Musallawi, a resident of Musallawiyeh village in Mohammareh (Khorramshahr), was convicted on charges of moharebeh (“enmity against God”) and “membership in Arab groups opposed to the Islamic Republic.” His sentence was upheld by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court in March 2025. He had previously been arrested in 2019 for his cultural activities and, despite being granted bail, was held in detention for ten months without being released.
The death sentence of Reza Abdali (Daghaghleh), a 35-year-old political prisoner held in Ward 8 of Sheyban Prison, was also upheld and formally communicated by the Supreme Court on Thursday, 6 November 2025.
Abdali was arrested in February 2025 and, in July 2025, Branch One of the Ahwaz Revolutionary Court, also presided over by Judge Ehsan Adibimehr, sentenced him to death and an additional 15 years of discretionary imprisonment on charges of “communication with foreign organizations.” Sources close to his family stated that he was subjected to severe pressure and threats during interrogation and was denied access to independent legal counsel. He is currently being held in poor conditions at Sheyban Central Prison.
The Karoon Human Rights Organization strongly condemns the issuance and confirmation of these death sentences, which were imposed following unfair trials, denial of fundamental legal safeguards, and the alleged use of torture to obtain confessions. The organization warns that the lives of these five political prisoners are in immediate danger.
Karoon Human Rights Organization calls on all international human rights organizations, UN mechanisms, and human rights defenders to take urgent and decisive action to halt the Islamic Republic’s execution campaign and help save the lives of these five political prisoners in Ahwaz. Silence in the face of these death sentences will only enable further repression and unlawful deprivation of life.
