Death Sentence Issued for Political Prisoner Benyamin Naqdi
30-May-2026
Category: Death Sentence
30 May 2026
News Category: Death Sentences
Breathing in Confinement: Benyamin Naqdi, a political prisoner and one of those arrested during the January protests, has been sentenced to death on charges of efsad-e fel-arz (“corruption on earth”).
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Mustafa Nili, Benyamin Naqdi’s defence lawyer, stated in an interview with Emtedad:
“Benyamin Naqdi was arrested in the city of Shiraz on the night of 3 January after allegedly setting a fire extinguisher alight and directing it towards law enforcement officers. At the initial stage, he was charged with attempted murder, but this charge was subsequently changed to moharebeh (‘enmity against God’).
Following the completion of the preliminary investigation, an indictment was issued against him on charges of moharebeh, membership in groups deemed to disrupt national security, assembly and collusion with the intent to commit crimes against national security, and propaganda against the system. In relation to the allegations of causing bodily harm to officers and carrying a bladed weapon, however, a decision was issued not to pursue prosecution.
During the trial, the judges assessed all of the alleged offences under the broader charge of efsad-e fel-arz (‘corruption on earth’) and, on that basis, sentenced Benyamin Naqdi to death.
My colleagues and I will file an appeal within the statutory deadline. We hope that, given that no loss of life occurred during the events in question and that the actions attributed to my client do not constitute efsad-e fel-arz, the Supreme Court will overturn the verdict.”
According to reports from human rights sources, following his arrest during the public protests in Shiraz, Benyamin Naqdi was subjected to pressure and torture aimed at obtaining forced confessions, and a video of his confession was subsequently released.
Prior to his arrest, Benyamin Naqdi was active in the sports of kickboxing and Muay Thai and had won numerous championship titles in these disciplines.