Supreme Court, under non-judicial interference, Upholds the Death Sentence of Mohammad-Javad Vafaee Sani
4-October-2025
Category: Prisoners
4 October 2025
News group: Prisoners–
Breathing in Confinement – Iran’s Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of political prisoner Mohammad-Javad Vafaee Sani.
According to Breathing in Confinement, Babak Paknia, an attorney-at-law, announced on social media: “The death sentence of Mr Mohammad-Javad Vafaee Sani on the charge of efsad-e fel-arz (‘corruption on earth’) through arson and destruction of public property has been upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court despite numerous legal and procedural flaws. Regarding these flaws and the involvement of third parties in the proceedings, a letter has been sent to the head of the judiciary. I hope his special inspectors intervene before it is too late.”
Mohammad-Javad Vafaee Sani was arrested in 2019 on charges of efsad-e fel-arz (corruption on earth) through arson and destruction of public property, and membership in the Mojahedin-e-Khalgh (MEK). He has been sentenced to death three times by different branches of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court. The first two verdicts were overturned by the Supreme Court. In mid-September 2024, Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court issued a death sentence for the third time, which has now been upheld by the Supreme Court.
Vafaee Sani, 28, a boxing champion and coach, is currently held in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.
The number of executions of political prisoners in Iran—particularly amid the regime’s domestic and international setbacks and its fear of social unrest—has risen alarmingly. These executions, regardless of case quality or adherence to legal standards, are carried out in line with state policy and in an unjust manner.
The involvement of third parties in Vafaee Sani’s case is a clear example of security-agency interference in the judicial process, indicating that such executions lack valid legal foundations and amount to unlawful state killings.