Two Balochi language activists sentenced to combined 43 years in prison

Hengaw – Thursday, August 6, 2026

Mohsen Raeisi and Saeed Raeisi, two Balochi language activists who have been detained for one year and 21 days, have been sentenced by the Iranian judiciary to a combined 43 years in prison, with Mohsen Raeisi also sentenced to internal exile.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Branch 2 of the Zahedan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Sarhadi, issued the verdict on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Mohsen Raeisi (Noor), 29, a father of two from Erafshan village, was sentenced to 26 years in prison and internal exile, while Saeed Raeisi (Rand), from Ashar village in Mehrestan County, received a 17-year prison sentence.

According to the verdict, Mohsen Raeisi was convicted on charges of "propaganda against the state," "armed action," "membership in groups opposed to the state," and "waging war against God (moharebeh)." Saeed Raeisi was convicted of "online propaganda against the state."

The two activists were arrested on July 16, 2025, when IRGC Intelligence forces raided their homes in Erafshan and Ashar villages without presenting warrants.

Both men were subjected to torture and threatened with internal exile during their detention in an effort to extract forced confessions.