The issuance of a death sentence for Armin Nourmohammadi comes amid numerous reports in recent months of intensified judicial pressure on those detained during the protests.
Iran Human Rights Society, Friday, January 23, 2026 – Armin Nourmohammadi, one of the detainees of the nationwide protests of 2022 who is currently imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. This verdict, issued on the charge of “moharebeh” (enmity against God), has sparked a wave of concern about the escalating trend of issuing death sentences against protesters.
Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani, Armin Nourmohammadi’s defense lawyer, announced that the sentence was issued on Monday, January 20, 2026 (29 Dey 1404), and communicated to him. According to the lawyer, the court relied on Note 1 of Article 687 of the Islamic Penal Code and sentenced his client to death on the charge of moharebeh.
Details of Armin Nourmohammadi’s Case According to His Defense Lawyer
Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani, in an interview with Shargh newspaper, provided explanations about the progress of Armin Nourmohammadi’s case. According to him, this citizen was arrested in 2023, after the end of the 2022 protests, along with eight others in Eslamshahr.
The main charge against these individuals is participation in setting fire to two ATMs belonging to Sepah Bank. Armin Nourmohammadi’s defense lawyer stressed that the damage caused to these ATMs was “minor” and this has also been confirmed.
He further added that regarding the other charges attributed to Armin Nourmohammadi, no clear legal evidence or documentation was presented to the court. According to him, the case suffers from serious evidentiary weaknesses, and issuing a death sentence under such circumstances raises serious questions about compliance with the principles of fair trial.
Payment of Compensation and Its Ineffectiveness in Issuing the Death Sentence
According to the explanations provided by the defense lawyer, Armin Nourmohammadi’s father obtained the consent of Sepah Bank, fully paid the declared damages, and the corresponding amount was deposited into the bank’s account.
Despite this action, according to the lawyer, the court ultimately issued a death sentence for Armin Nourmohammadi. This has led human rights observers to view the issuance of this verdict as an indication of the political nature of the case and the instrumental use of the charge of moharebeh to suppress protesters.
According to the lawyer, the other defendants in this case received long-term prison sentences, and only Armin Nourmohammadi has remained in temporary detention since 2023. The other defendants were released on bail; a situation that, in the view of observers, highlights the discriminatory nature of the proceedings in this case.
Judge Salavati and His History of Issuing Harsh Sentences Against Protesters
Abolqasem Salavati presides over Branch 15 cases. He issues harsh verdicts against activists. Protesters often receive severe punishments from him. Human rights groups document forced confessions. Security pressure influences many rulings. Unsubstantiated claims appear frequently. Armin Nourmohammadi’s trial follows this trend. Evidence remains insufficient according to defense.
Detainees of the Protests and the New Wave of Death Sentences
The issuance of a death sentence for Armin Nourmohammadi occurs at a time when numerous reports in recent months have highlighted intensified judicial pressure on protest detainees. Human rights organizations have warned that the judiciary, by using charges such as moharebeh, efsad-e fel-arz (corruption on earth), and acting against national security, is paving the way for a new wave of executions of protesters.
According to these organizations, this trend is pursued not only to punish individuals but as a tool to create public terror and prevent the continuation of social protests.
In this context, Armin Nourmohammadi’s case has been highlighted as one of the clearest examples of the political use of the death penalty.
Right to Appeal and Concern Over Rapid Execution of the Sentence
According to the defense lawyer, the verdict issued against Armin Nourmohammadi is preliminary, and the right to appeal and request a retrial is preserved for this case. However, human rights activists have warned of the risk of hasty execution of this sentence.
According to these activists, experience from previous years shows that in many similar cases, the appeal process has been carried out merely formally, and death sentences have been carried out shortly afterward.
Therefore, Armin Nourmohammadi’s case has been raised as an urgent matter requiring the attention of public opinion and international institutions.
Armin Nourmohammadi was born on August 12, 1998 (21 Mordad 1377). He is one of the young people arrested following the 2022 nationwide protests and has been in temporary detention since 2023.
His family has repeatedly expressed concern about their son’s legal status and fate during this period and has demanded fair proceedings in the case.
Violation of Fair Trial in Armin Nourmohammadi’s Case
Issuing a death sentence for Armin Nourmohammadi in circumstances where sufficient evidence to prove the charge of moharebeh has not been presented and the financial damage has been fully compensated constitutes a clear violation of fair trial principles and the fundamental rights of the accused. This process has raised serious concerns about the political nature of the case and the instrumental use of the death penalty to suppress protests.
- Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – Right to Life Issuing a death sentence without strict compliance with fair trial standards constitutes a violation of the fundamental right to life.
- Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – Right to Fair Trial Failure to present sufficient evidence and lack of judicial impartiality violate the right to a fair trial.
- Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Presumption of Innocence Conviction without definitive proof of guilt violates the principle of presumption of innocence.
Human rights observers emphasize that Armin Nourmohammadi’s case must be urgently subjected to independent review and the execution of the death sentence must be halted. They have called on the international community and human rights institutions to apply diplomatic and legal pressure to prevent the repetition of the cycle of executing protesters.
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