Two January protest detainees sentenced to death in Mashhad; Supreme Court upholds Rasul Rezaei’s sentence

Hengaw – Friday, August 21, 2026

Pouria Hosseinimofrad and Rasul Rezaei, two men arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests and currently held at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, have been sentenced to death by the Iranian judiciary. Rezaei’s death sentence has been upheld by the Supreme Court.

According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Hosseinimofrad, a 23-year-old political prisoner, was sentenced to death about a month ago by Branch 5 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hossein Yazdankhah, with Seyed Reza Javadmousavi serving as an adviser.

Hosseinimofrad was charged with “acting against national security,” “assembly and collusion,” and “operational activities disrupting national security.” Authorities alleged that the acts were carried out in support of an opposition group.

The alleged acts cited in his case include breaking the glass of a bus stop and setting fire to shrubs during a protest.

Hosseinimofrad was arrested by Iranian security forces in Mashhad on January 14, 2026. Following interrogation, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison, where he remains in custody.

Separately, the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Rasul Rezaei, a 28-year-old man from Fariman and father of two children, ages 2 and 5, who is also being held at Vakilabad Prison.

Rezaei was sentenced to death by a branch of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on the charge of “moharebeh” (Waging war against God), an offense punishable by death under Iranian law.

He was arrested by Iranian security forces in Fariman on January 9, 2026. Before his arrest, he worked as a street vendor.

Rezaei has been denied access to a lawyer of his choosing, telephone calls and family visits. No information has been made available regarding the specific acts or evidence underlying the charge against him.