Babak Shahbazi faces execution in Iran’s Ghezel Hesar Prison. His mother pleads for help amid no contact and fears of secret execution.
Iran Human rights Society, Saturday, August 16, 2025- Babak Shahbazi, a father of two, faces imminent execution in Iran’s Ghezel Hesar Prison. His mother’s cries outside the prison on August 16, 2025, echo the anguish of families of five other political prisoners. Transferred violently on August 8, 2025, Shahbazi and his fellow inmates endure a communication blackout.
A Mother’s Heartbreaking Appeal
On August 16, 2025, Babak Shahbazi’s mother stood outside Ghezel Hesar Prison from 8 a.m., begging for news of her son. She recounted broken promises of visitation, stating, “They told us to come today, but now they say he’s banned from calls and visits.” Her desperate plea, “People, help us—my innocent son is about to be executed,” reflects the family’s distress. Nine days without contact have left them fearing for his life.
Violent Transfer to Ghezel Hesar
On August 8, 2025, authorities forcibly moved Shahbazi and five others—Vahid Bani-Amerian, Akbar Daneshvar, Pouya Ghobadi, Mohammad Taghavi, and Babak Alipour—from Fashafouyeh to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Witnesses report brutal beatings during the transfer. Security forces separated the prisoners, isolating them in quarantine. This violent act, coupled with a communication ban, suggests ongoing abuse and raises alarms about their safety.
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Babak Shahbazi’s Unjust Sentence
Born in 1981, Shahbazi, a married father, was arrested on January 5, 2024. After interrogations in Evin Prison’s Ward 209, a Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death on May 3, 2025, for alleged espionage. The verdict, upheld on June 30, 2025, lacked credible evidence or fair legal process. Consequently, Shahbazi’s transfer to Ghezel Hesar, a known execution site, intensifies fears of a secret execution.
Family’s Struggle for Answers
Shahbazi’s family faces relentless obstacles. They visit Ghezel Hesar daily, only to receive false promises of contact. Authorities now enforce a strict visitation and communication ban, leaving the family in torment. This lack of transparency fuels suspicions of torture and expedited execution plans. The family’s pleas for justice grow louder as hope dwindles.
Human Rights Violations Uncovered
The case exposes severe human rights abuses. Specifically, Shahbazi’s death sentence violates fair trial rights due to inadequate legal representation. The communication cutoff and undisclosed location breach international standards on detention transparency. Furthermore, reports of beatings indicate physical abuse, violating prohibitions on torture. These actions highlight Iran’s disregard for global human rights norms.
Ghezel Hesar’s Grim Reputation
Ghezel Hesar Prison is notorious for executing political prisoners. Its history of secret executions and harsh conditions amplifies concerns for Shahbazi and his fellow inmates. The quarantine section, where they are held, isolates prisoners, denying them basic rights. This pattern of repression underscores the prison’s role in silencing dissent.
Urgent Call to Save Babak Shahbazi
The rapid rejection of Shahbazi’s retrial appeal heightens execution fears. His mother’s plea has sparked public and activist support, urging global intervention. Advocates demand transparency and an immediate halt to executions. The international community must pressure Iran to ensure Shahbazi’s safety and uphold justice.
Act Now to Stop the Execution
Babak Shahbazi’s looming execution represents a dire human rights crisis in Iran. His mother’s desperate cries outside Ghezel Hesar Prison reflect the pain of families facing uncertainty. Alongside Vahid Bani-Amerian, Akbar Daneshvar, Pouya Ghobadi, Mohammad Taghavi, and Babak Alipour, Shahbazi endures isolation and abuse. The world must act swiftly to prevent these executions, demand transparency, and protect the rights of political prisoners in Iran.
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