Babak Shahbazi moved to solitary after Supreme Court rejects third retrial request
Hengaw – Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Iran’s Supreme Court has rejected a third request for retrial from Babak Shahbazi, a political prisoner sentenced to death, and authorities have transferred him to solitary confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, placing him at imminent risk of execution. His death sentence was issued after allegations of torture, fabricated charges, and a judicial process described by observers as grossly unfair.
Information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights shows that the Supreme Court’s latest decision coincided with Shahbazi’s transfer to solitary confinement. The 36-year-old father of two is now awaiting the implementation of the sentence.
Yasmin Shahbazi, his daughter, wrote on social media:
“My father has probably been taken to solitary confinement in preparation for execution. If they execute him, it will be an honor for us. His case was overturned, but the Ministry of Intelligence wants to execute him.”
His brother, Kayhan Shahbazi, said the family has lost all contact with the prisoner, a situation that has raised deep concern.
Hengaw previously reported that Shahbazi’s conviction on charges of “spying for Israel” was based on coerced confessions obtained under torture, inconsistent evidence, and serious violations of fair-trial guarantees.
Much of the alleged evidence consisted of friendly or humorous conversations with acquaintances who were themselves tortured into giving statements against him. These coerced testimonies became the main basis for the death sentence.
Despite clear references to such contradictions during appeal proceedings, the sentence was swiftly upheld. The trial judge, Abolghasem Salavati, is known for issuing severe and capital sentences.
According to Hengaw’s sources, Iranian security agencies obtained forced confessions through brutal torture from Shahbazi’s co-defendants, including Esmail Fekri, who was later executed. These conflicting statements were central to the verdict.
One particularly striking detail in the case is an accusation that Shahbazi’s daughter was a “leader” of the 2009 protests — despite her birth in 2007, making the claim impossible.
Before his arrest, Shahbazi worked as a technician installing and maintaining air-conditioning and heating units in data centers, including at Iran Telecommunication Company. He was detained in January 2024 and initially held in Evin Prison. The judiciary later tried him on charges of “spying for Israel” and “corruption on earth,” sentencing him to death.
Other allegations included involvement in identifying air-conditioning units at government buildings as targets for bombings, as well as sending a message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — acts prosecutors labeled as “collaboration with Israel.” No credible evidence has been presented for these charges, which rely entirely on statements extracted under torture. Shahbazi has reportedly resisted making forced confessions.
