In a disturbing reaffirmation of its repressive policies, the Iranian judiciary has upheld death sentences against political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, who have been charged with membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). The decision, issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, signals yet another grim chapter in the regime’s escalating campaign of persecution against dissenters.
The sentences were originally handed down in September 2024, by Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26, a figure notorious for his role in sentencing political prisoners. The charges against Ehsani, 69, and Hassani, 48, ranged from “rebellion (baghi)” and “waging war against God (moharebeh)” to “spreading corruption on Earth” and membership in the PMOI. They were also accused of possessing classified information and illegal weapons added to the case, which has drawn widespread international condemnation.
Ehsani, a former political prisoner from the 1980s, was arrested in December 2022 in Tehran, while Hassani was detained in October 2022 in Zanjan. Both men endured physical and psychological torture during their imprisonment in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, a detention center infamous for its harsh treatment of inmates. Currently, Ehsani is held in Ward 4 and Hassani in Ward 8 of Evin Prison.
The two men were active participants in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, a grassroots effort involving prisoners across 21 facilities in Iran. This initiative has drawn attention to the regime’s soaring execution rates and inspired calls for international action. In letters written last fall, both Ehsani and Hassani urged global human rights organizations to support their campaign against state-sanctioned executions.
Ehsani’s poignant words from prison have resonated deeply with activists and human rights advocates. “This execution-driven regime can do nothing else,” he wrote in a message to the Iranian people after receiving his sentence. “I will not bargain over my life with anyone and am ready to sacrifice my insignificant life for the liberation of the Iranian people.” His defiance echoes sentiments expressed during Iran’s 2022 uprising, a nationwide protest against the regime’s oppressive rule that claimed over 700 lives.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has repeatedly condemned the regime’s execution spree. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI’s President-elect, has emphasized that such acts are designed to suppress potential uprisings and consolidate the regime’s grip on power. She warned that the international community’s silence emboldens Tehran to continue its gross violations of human rights.
The NCRI’s call to action has intensified following this latest ruling. “Immediate intervention is needed to save the lives of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani,” read an NCRI statement, which called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Council, and the European Union to respond decisively to Tehran’s ongoing crackdown.
Human rights organizations have also spotlighted the broader implications of these sentences. Experts warn that Iran’s judiciary leverages draconian laws and opaque trial procedures to target dissidents, often fabricating evidence and issuing verdicts without due process. The judiciary’s actions highlight the regime’s broader strategy of using capital punishment as a tool of intimidation.
Ehsani’s and Hassani’s plight epitomizes the human cost of Tehran’s authoritarianism. Their involvement in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign and refusal to capitulate under torture illustrate their commitment to resisting oppression. Meanwhile, their appeals to the international community underscore the urgent need for global solidarity with Iran’s pro-democracy movement.