Iranian court sentences protest detainee Kamal Khanbabai to death on moharebeh charge

Hengaw – Monday, July 6, 2026

An Iranian court has sentenced Kamal Khanbabai, who was detained during protests in January, to death on a charge of “moharebeh,” or “waging war against God.”

According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Khanbabai, 32, a father of one, was recently sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Qazvin, presided over by Judge Asadi. His case has been referred to Iran’s Supreme Court for review after an appeal was filed.

Sources close to Khanbabai’s family said the court based the moharebeh charge on allegations that he participated in damaging public property. One of the main allegations cited in the case was that he broke two surveillance cameras.

Khanbabai was arrested by Intelligence Department forces on Jan. 15, 2026. He was held for 10 days at an undisclosed detention facility, where he was subjected to severe physical torture and beatings in an effort to force him to make self-incriminating statements.

He was later transferred to Choubindar Prison in Qazvin, where he has remained in custody.