Death Sentences and Prison Terms Issued for January 2026 Protesters

Breathing in Confinement: Political prisoners Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli, who were arrested during the nationwide protests in January 2026, have been sentenced to death.

According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Mehdi Nazer and his fiancée, Mahnaz Chardouli, both detained during this year’s nationwide January protests, were sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Fazlollah Salavati.

According to the report, the charges brought against them include “attacking a mosque using Molotov cocktails” and “participation in unlawful gatherings.” In addition, Mehdi Nazer, Mahnaz Chardouli, and Atefeh Nazer (Mehdi Nazer’s sister) were each sentenced to 10 years of discretionary imprisonment on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to the information released, the three protesters were arrested in Tehran on 11 January 2026 and were subjected to pressure throughout their detention. Reports indicate that they were denied the right to choose their own legal counsel, and that court-appointed attorneys were assigned to represent them. The judicial proceedings were also reportedly marked by deficiencies, including a lack of transparency and incomplete adherence to fair trial standards.

According to reports received, the families of these prisoners have likewise been subjected to pressure from security agencies to refrain from publicly disclosing information regarding their situation.