Political prisoner Babak Shahbazi faces imminent execution following a case built on torture, forced confessions, and fabricated charges
The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights warns that Babak Shahbazi, a political prisoner and father of two, is at imminent risk of execution. A detailed review of case documents shows that his death sentence was issued based on confessions obtained under severe torture, unfounded accusations, and a grossly unfair judicial process.
According to credible reports and documentation received by Hengaw, Shahbazi was sentenced to death on charges of “espionage for Israel” — a sentence that has been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court despite glaring inconsistencies, evidence of forced confessions, and multiple violations of fair trial standards.
Hengaw’s findings show that parts of the so-called “evidence” against Shahbazi consist of friendly or even humorous conversations with friends, many of whom were themselves tortured into making statements against him. These coerced testimonies formed the main basis for his death sentence.
During the appeal process, despite explicit references to contradictions and fabricated claims, the court rapidly reaffirmed the execution order. The presiding judge, Abolghasem Salavati, is notorious for issuing heavy prison sentences and execution orders in politically sensitive cases.
According to sources, Iranian security agencies tortured Shahbazi’s co-defendants — including Esmail Fekri, who was later executed — to extract incriminating statements against him. These coerced and contradictory accounts were pivotal in securing his death sentence.
One striking example of the absurdity of the case is the accusation that Shahbazi’s daughter was a “leader in the 2009 protests,” despite the fact that she was born in 2007.
Shahbazi, born in 1981, is married and has a daughter (approximately 18) and a son (12). Before his arrest, he worked as a heating and cooling systems technician for data centers, including the Telecommunications Company of Iran. He was arrested in January 2024 and initially held in Evin Prison. The judiciary charged him with “espionage for Israel” and “corruption on earth,” sentencing him to death. Additional accusations included “revealing the location of a border porter,” “carrying out bombings,” and even sending a message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — the latter cited as “collaboration with Israel.” None of these allegations are supported by credible evidence and rely solely on torture-induced confessions.
According to documents provided to Hengaw, Babak Shahbazi resisted giving forced confessions. He recounted:
“The last time, I spent 28 days in the second torture facility, where they tortured me and tried to force a confession. They threatened that I would have to write and record my own confession. A group called Shahri Sevom came to coerce me into admitting membership in another group, but I refused. They beat me several times, slapped me, and hurled insults. Then they transferred me to Ward 209.
After a few days, they brought in another detainee, and I told him that this place was a torture center and that he should endure it and not be afraid. Someone named Ardsultan (Gheyr al-Rahman) said he wanted to play audio Qur’an recitations. A few days later, when I was asleep, he found an excuse to attack me. If it weren’t for a few others, I wouldn’t have survived inside the cell. I tied myself to him, and they poured fuel on the floor. They threatened me to tell the interrogator that nothing had happened, but due to torture, I had to leave the cell.
They told me that if I were asked in interrogation or court, I should say that out of fear, I had answered some questions and was then released. I told him not to sacrifice himself because he might be sentenced to the harshest punishment. I said I am a supporter of peace and do not belong to any group. They told me that such a stance made me very dangerous and that I should be eliminated. I told them I had never harmed anyone and would not do such a thing even for my own family. These are my beliefs, and I will not compromise. After that, they attacked me violently, striking me several times, even on my head and face, which left me dizzy for days. When I asked why, they said I had to understand that this was not a place for expressing my beliefs and that I needed to learn obedience. In the end, I said I would accept being denied family visits because this was no place to speak my mind.”
Pattern of executions and imminent danger
Hengaw’s documentation shows that since the start of the recent Iran–Israel conflict, at least seven individuals have been executed in Iran on charges of “collaboration with Israel.” Many of these cases share the same pattern: torture, absence of independent evidence, and clear violations of fair trial rights — pointing to a systematic use of national security accusations as a tool to silence dissent and instill fear.
Urgent call for action
Hengaw urges UN special mechanisms, democratic governments, and international human rights organizations to take immediate steps to halt Shahbazi’s execution. This must include diplomatic pressure, activation of international accountability mechanisms, and demands for full transparency in his case. The continued use of the death penalty in political and security cases is a flagrant breach of Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the international community has a duty to take urgent and effective measures to prevent such executions.
