Concerns Over Impending Executions of Three Detained Protesters in Yazd

Three individuals detained during the January protests in Yazd are facing death sentences, a development that has heightened concerns over the imminent execution of these verdicts.

According to a report by Iran Human Rights (IHR), Kaveh Arabiyan, Ali Daneshparvar, and Esmail Ramazanpour have been sentenced to death by the First Branch of the Yazd Revolutionary Court on charges of Moharebeh, or “enmity against God,” and are currently being held in Yazd Central Prison.

Kaveh Arabiyan, a 35-year-old father of one, was arrested on January 12 and subjected to interrogation at the IRGC Intelligence detention center for 68 days. According to human rights sources, he was pressured to make a confession and was ultimately sentenced to death on charges of setting fire to public property with the intent to disrupt national security.

Ali Daneshparvar, 33, was also arrested on January 9 and held in the IRGC Intelligence detention center for approximately three months. Judicial authorities have accused him of murdering a security force member and acting against national security.

Esmail Ramazanpour was arrested on January 10. According to the report, he was kept under interrogation and torture at the IRGC Intelligence detention center for nearly three months. Judicial authorities have accused him of arson and destruction of public property with the intent to disrupt national security, while his family denies his participation in the protests and considers the charges fabricated.

Iran Human Rights has also stated that all three defendants were denied access to defense attorneys of their own choice and, throughout the proceedings, were only permitted to use lawyers approved by the Judiciary.

The organization had previously warned that the use of state-approved lawyers in security-related cases can restrict the process of appealing and objecting to death sentences. As a result, there are serious concerns that the Supreme Court may uphold the sentences of the three prisoners, leading to their execution.

According to statistics published by Iran Human Rights, at least 18 people have been executed in connection with the nationwide January protests since March 18.