Death Sentence Issued for Political Prisoner Yaqub Derakhshan in a Grossly Unfair Trial Process
26-July-2025
Category: Prisoners
25 July 2025
News category: Prisoners
Breathing in Confinement – Yaqub Derakhshan, a 50-year-old political prisoner from Ardabil and resident of Bandar Anzali, currently held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Ahmad Darvish-Goftar. The issuance of this sentence was accompanied by serious violations of fair trial principles.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Yaqub Derakhshan was initially arrested by security forces in April 2025 on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “supporting the Mojahedin.” However, in a non-transparent and irregular legal process, his charge was later changed to baghi—which under Iranian criminal law refers to armed rebellion against the state—despite the absence of compelling evidence to support such an accusation.
Mr Derakhshan’s trial began only a few months after his arrest and proceeded with unusual speed toward sentencing. According to received information, the trial session was held remotely via videoconference, and he was denied access to legal counsel throughout the entire process. These issues represent clear violations of the right to a fair trial as outlined in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The death sentence was officially communicated to him in prison on Thursday, 24 July 2025. The opaque, rapid process and lack of legal safeguards significantly raise the likelihood of the sentence being carried out imminently.
The imposition of such a grave and vague charge as baghi—particularly in the absence of legal representation, restricted contact with family, lack of transparency in the proceedings, and a virtual trial—may amount to the misuse of judicial mechanisms to politically eliminate dissenting voices. These actions stand in stark contradiction to international human rights standards and the principle of judicial impartiality.
Breathing in Confinement condemns the issuance of this sentence, calls for the immediate revocation of the death penalty against Mr Yaqub Derakhshan, demands a retrial in an independent and impartial court, and insists on full respect for his legal and human rights, including access to a lawyer, a public hearing, and a fair judicial process. It also emphasises the urgent need for international human rights bodies to monitor the situation of political prisoners in Iran.