Iran’s Supreme Court Reaffirms Death Sentence of Peyman Farah-Avar, Poet and Political Prisoner
28-February-2026
Category: Prisoners
26 February 2026
News outlet: Prisoners
Breathing in Confinement — The death sentence of Peyman Farah-Avar Gisavandani, a poet and political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been upheld for a second time by Iran’s Supreme Court.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence of this political prisoner and cultural activist on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
Reports indicate that Peyman Farah-Avar Gisavandani was active in the field of literature and an advocate for social justice, civil rights, and environmental protection in Gilan Province. In protest against deforestation, illegal construction, and the destruction of natural resources, he published critical poems and writings.
He was arrested on 17 August 2024 and transferred to an IRGC Intelligence detention centre. According to reports, he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture for one week, to the extent that he lost consciousness for 24 hours and eventually regained consciousness in hospital.
On 1 May 2025, following proceedings that lacked transparency and were marked by serious restrictions on access to his chosen lawyer, Peyman Farah-Avar was sentenced to death on charges of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) and “baghi” (armed rebellion).
This occurred despite the fact that, under principles of fair trial, including the right to effective and unrestricted access to legal counsel, the right to a public and impartial hearing, and the absolute prohibition of torture under both domestic law and the international obligations of the Iranian regime, these fundamental rights must be upheld.
With the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the sentence, there is a serious risk of its imminent execution. The implementation of the death penalty in cases involving credible allegations of torture and grave violations of fair trial standards is considered incompatible with international human rights obligations and the fundamental principles of judicial justice.