Iran Sentences Political Prisoners Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani to Death

Hengaw; Thursday, September 19, 2024

Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani, two political prisoners held in Evin Prison, Tehran, have been sentenced to death by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Both prisoners were convicted on charges of rebellion (baghi), "waging war against God" (moharebeh), and membership in the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the death sentences were recently issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The verdicts have been formally communicated to their lawyers.

Both prisoners were previously charged with various offenses, including membership in the PMOI, rebellion, moharebeh, "corruption on earth" (efsad fel-arz), gathering classified information, and colluding against national security.

Mehdi Hasani, 52, from Shahr-e Rey, was arrested on Friday, September 9, 2022, while attempting to leave the country in Zanjan, after which he was transferred to Evin Prison.

Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlou, 64, was arrested at his home in Tehran on Monday, November 28, 2022, and subsequently transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.