Protest detainee Ilya Ben-Rashid sentenced to prison and flogging
Hengaw – Monday, May 25, 2026
Iranian judicial authorities have sentenced Ilya Ben-Rashid, a 22-year-old detainee arrested during protests earlier this year in Shahin Shahr, Isfahan Province, to prison and flogging. At the same time, he continues to face prosecution before the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan on the charge of “moharebeh” (waging war against God).
Based on reports obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Branch 102 of the Criminal Court No. 2 of Shahin Shahr recently sentenced Ilya Ben-Rashid to six months of discretionary imprisonment and 20 lashes on charges of “direct involvement in the theft of a computer case belonging to the Shahin Shahr Health Network.” The court acquitted him of the charge of “disrupting public order and peace through participation in protests.”
However, the main part of the case against the young protester remains open before the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan. A hearing on these charges was held via video conference in mid-April 2026 at Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. In this section of the case, Ben-Rashid faces serious security-related charges including “moharebeh through participation in the destruction of public property,” “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” and “propaganda against the state.” No verdict has yet been issued regarding these charges.
Security forces arrested Ilya Ben-Rashid on Thursday, January 22, 2026, during protests in Shahin Shahr. Following the filing of charges at Branch 2 of the city’s Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, he was transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, where he remains detained.
Reports indicate that throughout his detention and judicial proceedings, the 22-year-old protester has been denied access to a lawyer of his own choosing and deprived of a fair trial. Having lost his parents before his arrest, Ilya had been living with his elderly grandparents. Due to their age and physical condition, the family has faced significant obstacles and repeated dead ends in attempts to pursue his legal case through judicial authorities.
