Mohammadreza Balhour, January 2026 Protester, Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

Breathing in Confinement, Sunday, 16 August 2026: Mohammadreza Balhour, a father of three and resident of Sarayan in South Khorasan Province who was arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Sarayan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hossein Kavousi. The sentence has been formally communicated to him.

According to reporters from Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Mohammadreza Balhour was arrested by security forces outside his home during the January protests. During the first days following his arrest, his family had no information about his whereabouts or condition.

Balhour was held in detention for approximately two months. According to reports received, he was subjected to severe psychological pressure during his detention and faced threats, including threats of execution. It has also been reported that he was beaten during this period and sustained injuries after being struck repeatedly on the head with a weapon.

The 12-year prison sentence was issued amid reports raising concerns about the circumstances of his arrest, his conditions of detention, and the treatment he was subjected to during interrogation and detention.

In light of reports concerning Mohammadreza Balhour’s treatment in detention and the judicial proceedings in his case, concerns have been raised regarding respect for his legal rights, his right to a fair trial, and the integrity of the judicial process.