Ali Younesi, political prisoner and holder of the gold medal of the International Astronomy Olympiad, by publishing a letter from Qezelhesar Prison, rejected the proposal of release under the title of “pardon” and by referring to the execution of political prisoners, considered this action an attempt to cover up the wave of executions and recent repressions.
Iran Human Rights Society, Thursday May 14, 2026 – Ali Younesi, political prisoner held in Qezelhesar Prison, in reaction to a notification regarding being subject to the “22 Bahman pardon”, by publishing a letter announced that he has never requested a pardon and does not accept it. This political prisoner in his letter, by referring to the execution of six political prisoners, has emphasized that freedom is the right of the people and should not be turned into a propaganda tool for hiding the wave of repression and executions.
Why Did Ali Younesi Reject the “Pardon”?
Based on published information, on Monday May 11, 2026 during Ali Younesi’s visit with his father in Qezelhesar Prison, a notification was delivered to him indicating that the remaining period of his imprisonment is included in the “22 Bahman pardon”.
This notification, whose issuance date is titled February 22, 2026, was delivered to him at a time when in recent weeks pressure on political prisoners and their families has increased.
Human rights activists say that simultaneously with the new wave of executions, the judicial apparatus is trying to divert public opinion from the increase in repression and implementation of execution sentences by means of propaganda displays about “pardon”. According to them, while heavy sentences against political prisoners are still in place and security pressures in prisons have intensified, the media maneuvering about the limited release of some prisoners, more than being a sign of change in approach, is considered an attempt to cover up the news of executions.
Ali Younesi’s Reference to the Execution of Political Prisoners
Ali Younesi in his letter has referred to six executed political prisoners, Vahid Bani Amerian, Mohammad Taghavi, Babak Alipour, Pouya Ghobadi, Abolhassan Montazer and Akbar Daneshvarkar and called them “role models”. In a part of his letter he has written that these prisoners “did not bargain for their lives” and this same issue has caused him also “not to bargain for his own freedom”.
Political activists say Ali Younesi’s direct reference to these executions reflects the heavy atmosphere prevailing in prisons and the concern of political prisoners about the continuation of repression. According to them, after the execution of these six political prisoners, the security atmosphere in prisons has become more severe and pressure on political prisoners has increased.
Full Text of Ali Younesi’s Letter
In continuation, the full text of Ali Younesi’s letter is published:
” On Monday May 11, 2026 a notification with issuance date of February 22, 2026 under the title of 22 Bahman pardon was delivered to me, indicating that the remaining of my imprisonment (7 months) has been included in the pardon.
Firstly – I have never requested a pardon and will not. Freedom is a right that has been stolen; we do not beg for the stolen right, we fight to obtain it.
Secondly – I have role models: 6 proud cellmates who went to the gallows, every day and every moment their memory is alive for me and their voice is in my ears. They did not bargain for their lives, shame on me if I bargain for my freedom.
Thirdly – Vahid Bani Amerian in his defense said: “Is it us who should defend or you?” I also say: “Is it us who should forgive or you?!”
Forgiveness and pardon more than anyone is the right of grieving mothers and fathers. So O you grieving mothers and fathers, I hope you forgive me for any shortcoming I have had, for you are the only authority for seeking my forgiveness and the rest whatever of suffering and torture and prison until now and whatever imprisonment and exile and hardship remains, is nothing but duty. We are fighting with the support of the sacrifices of your children and we will remain steadfast on this fighting. Fighting for the freedom of the people of Iran is not a cause of regret and suffering but the greatest cause of pride. “
Ali Younesi Qezelhesar Prison – May 12, 2026
Why Has the Issue of “Pardon” Faced Reaction from Political Prisoners?
Human rights activists say the coincidence of publishing the news of “pardon” with the increase in executions and intensification of repression of political prisoners has caused many prisoners to look at this action as part of the regime’s psychological warfare.
According to them, while the atmosphere of prisons after the execution of political prisoners has become more secure and pressures on prisoners continue, the government is trying to divert public opinion from the execution machine by highlighting the limited freedom of some prisoners. Political observers believe that the protest of Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi to this process reflects the opposition of a part of political prisoners to the propaganda use of the title “pardon”.
About Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi
Ali Younesi, computer engineering student at Sharif University of Technology and holder of the gold medal of the 2017 International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. Amirhossein Moradi is also a physics student at Sharif University and holder of the silver medal of the national astronomy olympiad.
These two elite students on April 10, 2020 were arrested by intelligence agents without presenting a judicial warrant. Reports indicate that their arrest was accompanied by severe beating and after that they were transferred to solitary cells of ward 209 of Evin Prison.
Human rights sources say during the agents’ raid on Ali Younesi’s home, in the course of beating, his forehead was split.
Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi after 808 days of detention in solitary cells and closed wards, on June 26, 2022 with heavy sentences of 16 years imprisonment were transferred to general wards.
Ali Younesi is currently held along with his father Mir Yousef Younesi in Qezelhesar Prison. His father was also arrested during the nationwide protests and later sentenced to five years in prison by branch 26 of Tehran Revolutionary Court.
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