Kurdish Yarsani activists Sajjad and Shayan Veisi at risk of execution after moharebeh charge

Hengaw – Friday, May 29, 2026

Iranian authorities have charged Kurdish Yarsani activists Sajjad Veisi and Shayan Veisi with moharebeh (waging war against God), placing the two cousins at risk of severe punishment, including the death penalty. The pair have remained imprisoned in Kermanshah (Kermashan) Central Prison (Dizel Abad) for the past four months following their detention during the January protests. Sajjad Veisi is the brother of Meysam and Mojtaba Veisi, two prominent Kurdish Yarsani cultural activists who were recently killed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the case against 30-year-old Sajjad Veisi and his cousin Shayan Veisi has been referred to the Kermanshah Revolutionary Court on the charge of moharebeh. Hengaw has learned that the case is based on a security dossier prepared by intelligence agencies and on confessions obtained under torture. The development has intensified concerns among their family members that the two men could face death sentences.

Authorities detained Shayan Veisi during the January protests. Security forces arrested Sajjad Veisi on February 22, 2026, while he was travelling from Dareh Deraz to Sarpol-e Zahab to visit his wife's family home. They intercepted him along the route and transferred him into custody.

Shayan Veisi had previously been detained during the Woman, Life, Freedom (Jin, Jiyan, Azadi) movement in Kermanshah.

Sajjad Veisi is the younger brother of Meysam Veisi and Mojtaba Veisi, two well-known Yarsani cultural activists who were killed by IRGC forces during an armed raid on their safe house in the village of Qaleh Kahush in Dalahu. The operation took place in the early hours of May 28, 2026, when IRGC forces opened fire on the location.

Hengaw Organization for Human Rights expresses deep concern over the safety of Sajjad Veisi and Shayan Veisi and the possibility that they could face death sentences. Hengaw strongly condemns the authorities’ decision to prosecute the two young protesters on the unfounded charge of moharebeh.