Death Sentence for Political Prisoners Zahra Shahbaz Tabari

Iran sentences 67-year-old Zahra Shahbaz Tabari to death for alleged Mojahedin support. Unfair 10-min trial violates human rights.

Iran Human Rights Society, Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Iran’s regime escalates repression against political prisoners. Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, a 67-year-old engineer, faces a death sentence for supporting the People’s Mojahedin Organization. Security forces arrested her in April 2025 without a warrant. They raided her Rasht home and seized devices.

Arrest Without Warrant: A Shocking Raid

Security agents stormed Zahra Shahbaz Tabari’s private home in Rasht. This happened in April 2025. They showed no judicial warrant. Agents grabbed communication and electronic devices from her and her daughter. The family lost contact immediately. For a long time, they knew nothing about her detention place or health. Such actions crush privacy rights. Furthermore, they fuel fear among dissidents. Zahra, from Babol, now resides in Rasht. She holds a master’s in electrical engineering. Despite her age, authorities targeted her fiercely.

Swift Death Sentence: A 10-Minute Farce

Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court issued the death penalty. Judge Ahmad Darvish Goftar presided over the video conference trial last week. It lasted under ten minutes. Her charge? Support for the People’s Mojahedin Organization. However, sources say the official accusation is “propaganda against the regime.” This vague label often silences expression. The court-appointed lawyer offered no real defense. Zahra’s son called it a “pre-determined show.” Therefore, fair trial standards vanished. No independent counsel joined. The rushed process shocks observers.

Prison Ordeal: Health Crises Ignored

Zahra Shahbaz Tabari now suffers in Lakan Prison, Rasht. Chronic diseases plague her. Prison lacks medical care. Psychological pressures mount daily. Her condition has worsened sharply. Moreover, she endured prior arrests on similar charges. Back then, “connection with the People’s Mojahedin” led to detention here too. Families report denied lawyer access to files. Months pass without proper hearings. This illegal hold defies justice codes. Human rights advocates demand her release. Conditions inside erode her dignity further.

Repeated Arrests: Decades of Persecution

Authorities interrogated Zahra multiple times over decades. Political activities drew heat. Family ties amplified scrutiny. In this latest case, procedures ignored the Criminal Procedure Code. Basic justice principles crumbled. For instance, no warrant preceded the raid. Interrogations turned coercive. Long detentions followed without updates. Her history reveals a pattern. Iran’s security forces target elders ruthlessly. Yet, Zahra persists as a symbol of resistance. Supporters rally online for awareness.

Human Rights Violations: A Clear Breach

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Issuing a death sentence for an elderly person due to political affiliation is a direct violation of this article.

Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Threats, intensive interrogations, and long-term detention in prison without access to treatment are instances of this violation.

Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Arbitrary arrest, without judicial warrant and without informing the family, is a clear violation of this principle.

Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal. The ten-minute trial and absence of an independent lawyer is a clear violation of this article.

These breaches expose systemic flaws. Iran’s judiciary serves repression, not justice. Political prisoners like Zahra face execution threats routinely.

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