Ehsan Faridi Death Sentence: A Young Student’s Struggle Amid Threats to Silence

Ehsan Faridi, a 22-year-old student, faces a death sentence in Iran. His family endures threats to stay silent.

Iran Human Rights Society, Saturday, August 30, 2025 – In February 2025, Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court sentenced Ehsan Faridi, a 22-year-old manufacturing engineering student at the University of Tabriz, to death. Authorities based the verdict on a Ministry of Intelligence report, presenting no public evidence. Now, as the case awaits Supreme Court review, security forces pressure Faridi’s family to remain silent, intensifying their anguish. This case highlights Iran’s troubling use of capital punishment and suppression of dissent.

Why Ehsan Faridi Faces a Death Sentence

Ehsan Faridi’s ordeal began with his arrest on June 19, 2024, at the Tabriz Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities transferred him to Tabriz Central Prison. Earlier, in March 2024, officials detained him for “propaganda against the regime” but released him on bail. However, his rearrest led to graver charges: “corruption on earth” and “waging war against God” (moharebeh). These accusations culminated in a death sentence in February 2025, upheld by the appeals court. The case now rests with Iran’s Supreme Court, but concerns persist about a lack of thorough review.

Threats to Silence Faridi’s Family

Security agents from the Tabriz Intelligence Office have relentlessly pressured Ehsan Faridi’s family to avoid publicizing his case. They warned that sharing details with media or human rights groups could worsen his prison conditions. Consequently, the family, gripped by fear, refrains from speaking out. Intelligence officials have repeatedly summoned them, threatening “serious consequences” for any publicity. This coercion traps the family in a cycle of silence and anxiety, unable to share their son’s plight even with close friends.

Psychological Toll on Faridi’s Family

The threats amplify the family’s psychological distress. They face a harrowing dilemma: remain silent and risk their son’s fate going unnoticed or speak out and face potential retaliation. Sources close to the family describe their state as one of constant uncertainty and fear. The pressure not only targets Ehsan but also subjects his loved ones to emotional torment, showcasing a broader pattern of repression in Iran.

Unfair Trial and Human Rights Violations

Arrest of protesting student Ehsan Faridi and transfer to Tabriz prison

Ehsan Faridi’s trial raises serious concerns about judicial fairness. The court relied solely on a Ministry of Intelligence report, dismissing Faridi’s and his lawyer’s defense. Legal observers label the verdict as politically motivated rather than legally sound. Furthermore, the case violates several human rights principles:

Freedom of Expression: Faridi’s initial charge of “propaganda against the regime” stems from his opinions, breaching Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Coercion of Family: Threatening relatives to stay silent undermines human dignity and exerts psychological pressure.
Lack of Fair Trial: Issuing a death sentence without evidence or proper defense violates fair trial standards.

Broader Implications of Faridi’s Case

Faridi’s death sentence reflects Iran’s escalating crackdown on students and activists. Human rights groups report a surge in executions, with 230 people, including eight women, executed in Iran during the first three months of 2025. This trend targets political prisoners and dissenters, aiming to instill fear and suppress protests. Faridi, the youngest political prisoner on death row, symbolizes the regime’s harsh tactics against youth and intellectual voices.

Public and International Reactions

Despite efforts to suppress news of Faridi’s sentence, information has reached student activists and human rights organizations. They condemn the verdict as part of Iran’s strategy to silence critical voices. Observers note that such sentences aim to deter student protests and political activities. International human rights groups call for urgent action to overturn Faridi’s sentence and address Iran’s repressive judicial practices.

Systematic Repression in Iran

Ehsan Faridi’s case exposes a systemic issue: Iran’s use of threats to silence families of political prisoners. Authorities not only target individuals but also intimidate their loved ones to prevent public outcry. This tactic violates fundamental human rights and underscores the lack of transparency in Iran’s judicial system. The international community watches closely, urging the Supreme Court to overturn Faridi’s sentence and halt the execution spree.

Hope for Justice

As Ehsan Faridi’s case awaits Supreme Court review, hope remains that the court will annul the verdict. Previous cases show the court occasionally overturns death sentences due to legal irregularities. However, the lack of credible evidence in Faridi’s case and the court’s history of upholding harsh rulings raise concerns. The international community must pressure Iran to uphold human rights and ensure a fair judicial process.

Call to Action

Ehsan Faridi’s death sentence demands urgent attention. His case exemplifies Iran’s use of capital punishment to suppress dissent and silence families. Advocates call for global action to pressure Iran’s authorities to halt executions and protect prisoners’ rights. By amplifying Faridi’s story, we can challenge the regime’s tactics and push for justice. The Supreme Court’s decision could mark a step toward accountability—or deepen Iran’s human rights crisis.

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