Death Sentence of Varisheh Moradi Overturned by the Supreme Court Due to Procedural Violations
10-December-2025
Category: Prisoners
10 December 2025
News category: Prisoners
Breathing in Confinement – The death sentence of Varisheh Moradi has been overturned by the Supreme Court following an appeal citing procedural violations during the trial.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, lawyer Mostafa Nili announced on the social network X that, after reviewing the appeal in Moradi’s case, the Supreme Court found major flaws in the investigation and serious failures to follow legal procedures. These included the absence of a clearly stated charge that could legally justify issuing a death sentence. As a result, the Court annulled the ruling issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and returned the case to the same branch for reconsideration.
Ms Moradi had been sentenced to death in November 2024 by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on the charge of “baghi” (armed rebellion).
The Supreme Court’s ruling clearly demonstrates that the judicial process in similar cases fails to comply with fundamental legal principles and standards of fair trial. Deficiencies in the investigation, the failure to properly and transparently inform the accused of the charges, and violations of legal procedures in issuing a death sentence are not only contrary to Iran’s domestic laws but also in serious conflict with the country’s international human rights obligations, including the right to a fair trial and the right to life.
These circumstances raise deep concern about the hasty issuance of severe sentences without meeting minimum due-process standards, as well as the lack of transparency and repeated violations of defendants’ rights in political and security-related cases heard in Revolutionary Courts.