The case of Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlu is a clear symbol of the systematic violation of human rights in Iran. Executing a death sentence under such circumstances violates multiple international laws, constituting serious breaches.
According to the Iran Human Rights Society, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlu, a 70-year-old political prisoner, had his third request for a retrial rejected. Despite his poor health, advanced age, and history of severe torture in prison, he faces the imminent risk of execution. His lawyer informed his family of the rejection of the retrial request.
Reports indicate that, despite his critical physical condition and advanced age, no leniency or reconsideration has been granted, and the judiciary is pursuing his execution in a rushed process devoid of fair trial standards.
Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlu was born in 1955 in Urmia, resides in Tehran, holds a high school diploma, works independently, is married, and is a father of two. He is also the caretaker of his elderly mother. In November 2022, during Iran’s nationwide uprising, he was arrested by security forces at his home and transferred to Ward 209 of the Ministry of Intelligence in Evin Prison.
After three and a half months of interrogation, physical and psychological torture, he was transferred to Ward 4 of Evin Prison. He faces charges including “rebellion” (baghi), “enmity against God” (moharebeh), “corruption on earth” (efsad fil-arz), “membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran,” “collecting classified information,” and “conspiracy against national security.”
Unfair Trial: Death Sentence Upheld Without Appeal
In late September 2024, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Behrouz Ehsani to death. On January 7, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence without following appeal procedures and sent it to the enforcement unit. On January 27, 2025, Behrouz Ehsani, along with another political prisoner, Mehdi Hassani, was transferred from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. This transfer to the political prisoners’ ward is considered by human rights organizations as an alarming sign of the imminent execution of his death sentence.
Similar Situation of Mehdi Hassani
Alongside Behrouz Ehsani, Mehdi Hassani, another political prisoner born in 1976, a resident of Shahr-e Rey, married, and father of three, also faces a death sentence, with his recent retrial request rejected. He was arrested in September 2022 in Zanjan and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Mehdi Hassani has also been subjected to severe torture and psychological pressure and faces similar charges.
Response from Human Rights Organizations
In January 2025, Amnesty International issued a statement calling for the immediate halt of the execution of these two political prisoners. The statement noted that Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani were subjected to torture, prolonged solitary confinement, and severe mistreatment following their arrests, and their trials lacked the minimum standards of a fair trial.
Explicit Violation of International Human Rights Laws
The case of Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlu is a clear symbol of the systematic violation of human rights in Iran. Executing a death sentence under such circumstances constitutes multiple serious violations of international laws:
- Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Guarantees the right to life as a fundamental human right and states that “no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their life.” The execution of a 70-year-old individual with a case marred by torture is a direct violation of this article.
- Article 7 of the ICCPR: Prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under all circumstances. Prolonged solitary confinement, torture during interrogation, and denial of medical care are clear violations of this article.
- Article 14 of the ICCPR: Ensures the right to a fair trial, including the right to an effective appeal in criminal convictions. Upholding a death sentence without proper appeal procedures and repeatedly rejecting retrial requests constitutes a blatant violation of this article.
Given Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlu’s physical condition, advanced age, and the absence of a fair trial process, executing his death sentence would amount to judicial murder.
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