Two January protest detainees sentenced to death in Mashhad

Hengaw – Sunday, September 13, 2026

Hossein Nazari and Hossein Rasoulinasab, two political prisoners held at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad who were arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests, have been sentenced to death by Iran’s judiciary.

According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Nazari, 25, and Rasoulinasab, who is married and a father of two, were sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

Nazari was sentenced to death in July 2026 by Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on charges of “links with hostile states and groups” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

He was arrested by Iranian security forces during the January 2026 protests and, following interrogation, was transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, where he remains in custody.

Rasoulinasab was separately sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on the charge of moharebeh (Waging war against God). The case is based on allegations that he participated in the destruction of public property and the burning of religious sites, as well as “assembly and collusion against national security.”

During protests on January 8 and 9, 2026, a mosque and a Quranic center in Shandiz were set on fire. Rasoulinasab’s case was subsequently opened in connection with the fires.

He was arrested during the protests in Shandiz and transferred to Vakilabad Prison, where he remains detained.