Imminent Execution Risk and Ongoing Disappearance of Three Arab Political Prisoners in Ahvaz Prison
11-July-2025
Category: Prisoners
11 July 2025
News Category: Prisoners –
Breathing in Confinement – There is growing concern over the fate of three Arab political prisoners who were transferred to solitary confinement over two weeks ago in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Ali Mojadam, Mohammadreza Moghadam, and Moein Khanfari were suddenly transferred from the general ward to solitary confinement on Thursday, 26 June 2025. More than two weeks on, there has been no official information regarding their physical or mental condition or their current whereabouts. This has raised serious concerns about their safety, health, and the possible imminent execution of their death sentences.
The three Iranian Arab citizens had previously been sentenced to death on charges including “collaboration with groups opposed to the Islamic Republic,” “acting against national security,” and “rebellion” (baghi), following judicial proceedings that, according to human rights sources, failed to meet fair trial standards. Reports indicate that the confessions attributed to them were obtained under torture and coercion, and they were denied proper access to independent legal representation.
Their transfer to solitary confinement followed the Supreme Court’s confirmation of their death sentences, further suggesting that the executions may be imminent. Their current situation is a stark example of concerns about the political and arbitrary use of the death penalty, especially amid intensified repression and a surge in executions following the 12-day war between the Iranian regime and Israel.
UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Dr Mai Sato, expressed concern about the case on her official X (formerly Twitter) account:
“I have received reports that three political prisoners, Ali Mojadam, Moein Khanfari and Mohammadreza Moghadam, are at imminent risk of execution. These individuals face serious allegations of torture, forced confessions and denial of fair trial rights.”
Dr Sato also called for the immediate halt of these executions and reminded the Iranian authorities that, under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a state party, the death penalty must not be applied for vaguely defined national security offences. Furthermore, states must refrain from carrying out executions where due process violations have occurred.
Breathing in Confinement warns of the imminent risk of these executions and calls on international human rights bodies, civil society, and minority rights defenders to urgently pressure the Islamic Republic of Iran to prevent a humanitarian tragedy and uphold the right to life for these Arab political prisoners.