Executive SummaryMehrab Abdollahzadeh, a Kurdish political prisoner and one of those arrested during the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising, is facing an imminent risk of execution in Iran. Multiple indicators—including the final confirmation of his death sentence by the Supreme Court, referral of his case to the Office for the Enforcement of Criminal Judgments, and the blocking of his bank account—strongly suggest that preparations for carrying out the execution are underway.This report finds that the death sentence against Abdollahzadeh is the result of a grossly unfair judicial process, marked by arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, torture, forced confessions, denial of legal counsel, and reliance on the subjective “knowledge of the judge” rather than verifiable evidence.Background of the CaseMehrab Abdollahzadeh, born on March 15, 1998, is a Kurdish citizen from the village of Khoshalan in the Somay Baradost region of Urmia. He worked as a barber and was widely known in his community as a reputable and skilled professional.He was violently arrested on October 22, 2022, at his workplace in the Vali-e Asr district of Urmia during the nationwide Jin, Jiyan, Azadi protests. Security forces affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC Intelligence) detained him and transferred him to an undisclosed location.For weeks, his family received no information regarding his whereabouts, amounting to short-term enforced disappearance. The family’s repeated inquiries to security, police, and judicial authorities were met with silence.Torture, Solitary Confinement, and Forced ConfessionsAccording to informed sources cited by Kurdpa, Abdollahzadeh was held in solitary confinement for 38 days, during which he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture.Interrogators threatened him with harm to his family, falsely claiming that his relatives had been arrested. He was coerced into writing a confession stating that he had struck a Basij member “with two punches,” after being promised that his family would be released if he complied.Despite this, Abdollahzadeh has consistently denied any involvement in the killing of the Basij member, Seyed Abbas Fatemieh. No independent or forensic evidence has been presented to prove his presence at the crime scene.Denial of Fair Trial and Legal RepresentationDuring the interrogation phase, Abdollahzadeh was entirely denied access to a lawyer and family visits. After his transfer to Urmia Central Prison, his family was forced to choose a lawyer from a judiciary-approved list, effectively depriving him of the right to an independent defense.The trial at the Revolutionary Court of Urmia consisted of three extremely brief hearings, two held online and one in person lasting only a few minutes. Abdollahzadeh was not given a genuine opportunity to defend himself.Death Sentence and Supreme Court RulingIn September 2024, Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia sentenced Abdollahzadeh to death on charges of “corruption on earth” and “complicity in intentional murder.”On November 16, 2025, Branch 9 of Iran’s Supreme Court—presided over by Judge Qasem Mezinani with advisor Mohammad Bagher Bagheri—rejected his appeal and upheld the death sentence, explicitly citing the judge’s personal “knowledge” (elm-e qazi) as the basis for the ruling.Following this decision:The verdict became final and enforceableThe case was returned to the Revolutionary Court of UrmiaIt was referred to the Office for the Enforcement of Criminal JudgmentsOn December 23, 2025, the ruling was formally communicated to Abdollahzadeh and his lawyersOn December 24, 2025, his bank account was blocked—an action commonly taken shortly before executions in IranMajor Legal Contradictions and Violations1. Execution Based on Allegations Beyond Forced ConfessionsEven according to the Supreme Court verdict, Abdollahzadeh admitted only—under torture—to striking the victim with his fists. Nevertheless, the court claimed the victim died from lethal blows inflicted with a metal rod (rebar), despite:No confession to using such a weaponNo forensic or material evidenceNo independent witness testimony2. Substitution of Evidence with “Judge’s Knowledge”Abdollahzadeh repeatedly requested:Review of CCTV footageMobile phone location data analysisBiometric comparison with alleged video evidenceAll requests were ignored. Instead, the court relied on the subjective opinion of the judge, effectively bypassing evidence-based adjudication.3. Disproportionate Punishment and Selective ProsecutionThe case reportedly involved 50–60 suspects. The primary defendant, who was under 18 at the time of the incident, received a reduced sentence and was released. Many other suspects fled Iran or were freed.Abdollahzadeh—arrested weeks later at his workplace—remains the only adult defendant sentenced to death, suggesting he was selected as the sole available scapegoat to close the case.4. Manipulation of Charges to Override Victim’s Family ConsentSources indicate that the victim’s family intended to grant forgiveness, believing Abdollahzadeh was not the killer. However, security agencies reportedly blocked this consent.By reclassifying the charge from intentional murder to “corruption on earth,” authorities ensured that even victim-family forgiveness would not prevent execution, transforming the case into a purely security-driven prosecution.Prison Conditions and Mental HealthAbdollahzadeh is currently held in the political prisoners’ ward of Urmia Central Prison, under extreme surveillance. Cameras reportedly monitor all areas, including bathrooms and showers.He is denied access to the prison library, recreational spaces, or regular family visits (allowed once every 27 days). According to sources, his mental condition is severely deteriorated, and he spends most of his time sleeping.Concerns have also been raised about the administration of a pill known as “B2,” described as psychoactive and addictive, which is freely distributed in the political ward.Position of Kurdpa Human Rights OrganizationThe Kurdpa Human Rights Organization strongly condemns the death sentence against Mehrab Abdollahzadeh and considers it:A flagrant violation of the right to lifeA clear example of an unfair trialA direct result of torture, forced confessions, and security-agency interferenceKurdpa holds Iran’s judiciary and security institutions directly responsible for any harm inflicted upon Abdollahzadeh and calls for:Immediate suspension of the executionFull annulment of the death sentenceA new, independent, transparent trial in line with international human rights standards
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