Shahin Vasaf, detained during 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement, sentenced to 10 years in Urmia

Hengaw – Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Iranian authorities have sentenced Shahin Vasaf, a Kurdish political prisoner from Salmas and resident of Urmia, to 10 years in prison. Vasaf, 29, was arrested during the Woman, Life, Freedom (Jin, Jiyan, Azadi) movement and had previously received a death sentence, which was later overturned.

According to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Branch One of the Revolutionary Court in Urmia handed down the 10-year sentence. Vasaf had earlier been condemned to death by Branch Three of the same court, presided over by Judge Reza Najafzadeh, on charges of “espionage for Israel.” The death sentence, issued on October 3, 2023, was annulled by the Supreme Court due to investigative flaws and referred to another branch for retrial.

Vasaf was arrested on September 21, 2022, along with his cousin, Nasser Vasaf, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Urmia. Both were initially held in the ministry’s detention center before being transferred to Urmia Central Prison. Nasser Vasaf was released after nearly a year in custody.

Hengaw previously reported that Shahin Vasaf was subjected to severe torture and forced confessions, and was denied access to legal counsel of his choice during trial proceedings.

Since his arrest, he has been denied furlough and remains imprisoned in the political ward of Urmia Central Prison.