Four Political Prisoners in Isfahan at Risk of Imminent Execution

Breathing in Confinement, Tuesday, 21 July 2026: At least four political prisoners detained during the protests in January this year and currently held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan are at risk of imminent execution following their transfer to solitary confinement.

According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Abolfazl Sepahi and Alireza Sepahi, defendants in the case known as the “Alikhani Square case,” had their final visits with their families yesterday ahead of the implementation of their death sentences. Today, the families of Amirhossein Maleki and Ali Dashti were also informed that they should come to the prison for final visits. These developments indicate that the four prisoners are at imminent risk of execution.

Previously, on Sunday, 19 July, the death sentences of two other defendants in the same case, Gol-Mohammad Mohammadi and Erfan Esfandiari, were carried out in Isfahan Prison.

Abolfazl Sepahi, 25, and Alireza Sepahi, 23, who are cousins, were arrested in Isfahan on 10 January and sentenced to death by Branch 9 of the city’s Revolutionary Court on the charge of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) in connection with their alleged involvement in the “Alikhani Square case.” Their sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court and referred to the Enforcement of Judgments Unit for implementation.

Amirhossein Maleki, 20, the only child in his family, was arrested on 8 January and sentenced to death on a similar charge. Ali Dashti, born in 2006, was also arrested in connection with the same case and sentenced to death on the charge of “moharebeh.”

According to reports, following their arrests, the defendants were subjected to torture and severe psychological and physical pressure and were reportedly coerced into making forced confessions. The judicial proceedings in their cases have also been reported to lack transparency and the necessary standards of a fair trial, including access to lawyers of their own choosing.

According to the official account of the Islamic Republic, clashes occurred between protesters and government forces during the events related to the “Alikhani Square case,” resulting in the deaths of four members of the police and Basij forces. The judiciary claims that the defendants attacked security forces using firearms, bladed weapons, Molotov cocktails and incendiary materials and, following the killings, filmed the scene and sent the footage to media outlets outside Iran.

At the time of this report, the death sentences of two defendants in this case have been carried out, while four other prisoners remain at imminent risk of execution.