https://news.az/news/iran-hands-death-prison-sentences-to-protesters-activists-christian-converts Copied Photo: AI-generated + ↺ − 16px
Iranian courts have issued a series of death and prison sentences against political prisoners, activists, a lawyer, a photographer and Christian converts, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) and advocacy group Article 18.
Among the latest rulings, Vahid Khan Sanami, who was arrested in connection with the nationwide protests of January 2026, was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, News.Az reports, citing HRANA.
According to HRANA, Sanami was convicted of moharebeh ("enmity against God"), a capital offence under Iranian law. A source familiar with the case told HRANA that his trial was held in May. Sanami was arrested in March 2026 in connection with the January protests and is currently being held in Greater Tehran Prison.
In a separate case, Arghavan Fallahi, a 24-year-old political prisoner, was sentenced to death by the same court and judge on charges of baghi ("armed rebellion").
HRANA reported that Fallahi was convicted under Article 287 of Iran's Islamic Penal Code based on allegations that she was a member of anti-government groups and had been involved in armed activities. The rights group also said she had previously alleged being subjected to severe psychological pressure while in detention and that investigators had sought to extract forced confessions linking her to the killings of judges Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini.
Fallahi was arrested in January 2025 and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is operated by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence. She had previously served a two-year prison sentence on charges of assembly and collusion against national security and propaganda against the regime following an earlier arrest in 2022.
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In another ruling, the Revolutionary Court in Babol sentenced Negin Kiani, a Tehran-based documentary photographer and photography instructor, to one year in prison on charges of propaganda against the regime.
According to HRANA, Kiani was arrested at her family home in Babol in April 2026 and released on bail the following day. The rights group said she had previously faced repeated judicial proceedings in connection with her civil activities.
Meanwhile, Elham Zeraatpisheh, a lawyer and member of the Fars Bar Association, was sentenced by Branch One of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court to a total of six years in prison.
The court imposed a five-year sentence for assembly and collusion against national security and an additional year for propaganda against the regime. It also banned her from leaving the country for two years and ordered the revocation of her passport for the same period. Zeraatpisheh was arrested in May 2026 near the Shiraz Office for the Enforcement of Judgments.
In a separate development, the Tehran Province Court of Appeals upheld prison sentences handed to five Christian converts, affirming an earlier ruling by the Tehran Revolutionary Court that imposed a combined total of 55 years in prison.
According to Article 18, those whose identities have been made public include Aida Najaflou, Nasser Navard Gol-Tappeh, Joseph Shahbazian and Lida Alexsani. Najaflou received a total sentence of 17 years, although under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code she will serve 10 years, the longest single sentence. Navard Gol-Tappeh, Shahbazian and a fifth unnamed defendant were each sentenced to 10 years, while Alexsani received eight years.
The defendants were prosecuted on charges including propaganda against the regime and acting against national security. According to the indictment, the charges stemmed from allegations that they established, organised and led a house church, held evangelical Christian gatherings and conducted religious ceremonies, including baptisms and Holy Communion.
Article 18 said the Court of Appeals formally notified the defendants of its decision on 22 June. Navard Gol-Tappeh and Shahbazian remain in custody, while Najaflou and Alexsani were previously released on bail pending the outcome of their cases.