Hanieh Sarborzi, a 30-year-old citizen from Mashhad and mother of a young child, has been in uncertainty in Vakeelabad Prison in Mashhad for more than 40 days. The attribution of the charge of “Baghy” against her, along with deprivation of contact and visits with family, has created widespread concerns about the judicial process and respect for her legal rights.
Iran Human Rights Society, Friday 26 June 2026 – More than 40 days have passed since the arrest of Hanieh Sarborzi, a 30-year-old citizen from Mashhad; a woman who was arrested in connection with cases related to the protests of Dey 1404 and is currently being held in Ward 6 of Vakeelabad Prison in Mashhad. The attribution of the charge of “Baghy” against this citizen, considering the legal definition of this crime in the Islamic Penal Code, has raised numerous legal questions about the conformity of the charge with the legal elements of the crime. At the same time, the continuation of her deprivation of contact and visits with family has also increased concerns about the situation of this prisoner.
Why has Hanieh Sarborzi’s case attracted attention?
According to published reports, Hanieh Sarborzi has been in detention for more than 40 days and so far the final status of her case has not been determined. She, who is the mother of a young child, has been held in Ward 6 of Vakeelabad Prison in Mashhad since her arrest and is still deprived of the right to telephone contact and visits with family. Informed sources say that the continuation of this situation, along with the uncertainty of the case and ambiguity in the process of handling, has caused increased concern for the family and human rights activists.
Why is the charge of “Baghy” in this case debatable?
The most important issue raised in Hanieh Sarborzi’s case is the attribution of the charge of “Baghy”; a charge that is considered one of the heaviest criminal titles in the Islamic Penal Code and, if the legal conditions are met, can result in very heavy punishments including execution. However, according to Article 287 of the Islamic Penal Code, the realization of the crime of Baghy requires the existence of specific conditions. According to this article, Baghy is realized when members of a group resort to armed uprising against the foundations of the system and the element of use of weapons is considered one of the main pillars of this crime.
Given the published information about Hanieh Sarborzi’s case, so far no report has been published regarding the attribution of armed actions or membership in a group with the characteristics specified in Article 287. Therefore, some lawyers and human rights institutions believe that the conformity of this charge with its legal definition requires the presentation of clear and examinable evidence in court.
What concerns has the continuation of detention and deprivation of contact created?
Hanieh Sarborzi has been deprived of the right to telephone contact and visits with family since the time of her arrest. The continuation of these restrictions, especially for a person who has a young child, has created numerous humanitarian and legal concerns. Her family has not yet received precise information about the handling process, the status of the case, and the time of holding the handling sessions. Human rights activists emphasize that the accused’s access to family, lawyer, and information about the handling process is among the most important guarantees of fair trial.
Is this case part of the trend of dealing with those arrested in the protests?
Published reports in recent months show that after the protests of Dey 1404, a significant number of citizens have faced security cases. In many of these cases, the accused have faced heavy criminal titles; charges that can lead to long-term prison sentences, social deprivations, and in some cases the death penalty. Human rights institutions have repeatedly warned about the use of security titles in cases related to protests and the necessity of observing the principles of fair trial.
Legal examination of the case based on domestic laws Legal ambiguities of the case
The most important ambiguity in this case is the conformity of the charge of “Baghy” with its legal definition in the Islamic Penal Code. It is also not clear on what documents and evidence this criminal title has been raised against Hanieh Sarborzi and whether the legal elements of this crime exist in the case or not.
Related legal articles Principle 32 of the Constitution
The arrest of individuals must be based on law and accompanied by immediate explanation of the charge.
Principle 35 of the Constitution
The accused has the right to benefit from a lawyer in all stages of the proceedings.
Principle 37 of the Constitution
The principle is innocence and no one is recognized as a criminal unless his crime is proven in a competent court.
Article 287 of the Islamic Penal Code
The crime of Baghy is realized when a group, using weapons, rises up against the foundations of the system and the armed element is one of the main pillars of this crime.
Cases of violation of the law
Ambiguity in the conformity of the charge of Baghy with its legal definition Continuation of detention accompanied by uncertainty of the case Deprivation of contact and visits with family Possibility of limiting the right to effective defense Ambiguity in providing legal documents for attribution of the charge Violation of human rights; concern about the use of heavy security charges and restriction of the rights of the accused
Human rights activists believe that the use of very heavy charges without providing sufficient and examinable evidence, along with restrictions on access to family and the handling process, can affect the fundamental rights of the accused.
Violated articles
Right to liberty and personal security – Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Detention must be legal, documented, and accompanied by the possibility of effective protest.
Right to fair trial – Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights The accused has the right to an independent court, access to a lawyer, and sufficient opportunity for defense.
Right to protection of the family – Article 23 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Long-term deprivation of contact with family can affect family rights and the situation of the young child.
Principle of innocence– Until the crime is proven in a competent court, no individual should be considered a criminal.
Hanieh Sarborzi’s case, while still in an unclear status, the continuation of detention, deprivation of contact with family, and the raising of the charge of “Baghy” without publishing clear documents about its conformity with the legal definition, have created important legal questions about the process of handling this case.
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