Erfan Shakourzadeh Transfer to Qezelhesar Prison Raises Execution Fears

The death sentence of Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old aerospace engineering student, has been confirmed after months of detention in solitary confinement and forced confessions and he has been transferred to Qezelhesar Prison for execution.

Iran Human Rights Society, Friday May 8, 2026 – Erfan Shakourzadeh, a master’s student in aerospace engineering – satellite technology at Iran University of Science and Technology, has been transferred to Qezelhesar Prison in Karaj after the confirmation of his death sentence in the Supreme Court. This 29-year-old prisoner, who had previously been arrested by the IRGC Intelligence on charges of “espionage and cooperation with hostile countries”, has announced in a note from inside the prison that he was forced to make a forced confession under torture and months of solitary confinement.

Transfer of Erfan Shakourzadeh to Qezelhesar after Confirmation of Death Sentence

Based on published information, Erfan Shakourzadeh, born in 1997, was transferred to Qezelhesar Prison for execution of the sentence three days after the confirmation of the death sentence in the Supreme Court; a prison that has turned into one of the main centers for carrying out death sentences in the country in recent years.

Erfan Shakourzadeh is considered one of the outstanding university students. He was a graduate of electrical engineering from Tabriz University and had achieved first rank in the master’s degree in aerospace engineering – satellite technology at Iran University of Science and Technology.

According to informed sources, he was arrested by the IRGC Intelligence in January-February 2025. The charge brought against him has been stated as “espionage and cooperation with hostile countries”, but so far no official and transparent information has been published by institutions affiliated with the regime about the details of the case, the trial process, and the documents of the charges.

9 Months of Solitary Confinement and Pressure for Forced Confession

Reports indicate that after his arrest, Erfan Shakourzadeh spent about 9 months in solitary confinement and was then transferred to Evin Prison. In a note recently published from him, he has spoken about the application of torture and security pressures to obtain a forced confession.

In part of this note it is stated: “I, Erfan Shakourzadeh, 29 years old, one of the few so-called elites who did not agree to emigrate. A few months before the 12-day war, I was arrested by the IRGC Intelligence on the false charge of espionage and cooperation with hostile countries and was forced to make a forced confession during 8 and a half months of torture and solitary confinement prison. Do not let another innocent life be lost in silence and unawareness.”

The publication of this text in virtual space has been accompanied by extensive reactions from users and human rights activists and has increased concerns about the possibility of the imminent execution of his death sentence.

Silence of Government Institutions about the Case

Despite the sensitivity of the case and the concerns raised about the situation of this prisoner, so far no official judicial or security authority has provided any explanation about the process of handling Erfan Shakourzadeh’s case.

In past years, security institutions have repeatedly interrogated defendants in security cases without free access to a chosen lawyer and in non-transparent conditions. Human rights activists have warned that the use of confessions obtained under pressure and torture is one of the common methods in security cases.

Also, the sudden transfer of political and ideological prisoners to Qezelhesar Prison in many cases is considered a sign of the closeness of the execution of the death sentence; an issue that has doubled concerns about Erfan Shakourzadeh’s situation.

Increased Concerns about the Execution of Prisoners Charged with Security Crimes

In recent years, a significant number of defendants in political and security cases with charges such as “espionage”, “cooperation with hostile governments” or “corruption on earth” have faced heavy sentences, including death. Human rights institutions have repeatedly announced that the handling process in many of these cases lacked fair trial standards.

Erfan Shakourzadeh’s case has also been raised in conditions where numerous reports have been published about exerting pressure on detainees to make televised confessions and depriving them of basic rights. Human rights experts believe that defendants who are held for months in solitary confinement are exposed to the most severe psychological and physical pressures and lose the possibility of freely defending themselves.

Violation of Human Rights; Forced Confession, Solitary Confinement and Violation of Fair Trial

Erfan Shakourzadeh’s case is accompanied by serious concerns from a human rights perspective. Reports about his long-term detention in solitary confinement, the application of torture to obtain a forced confession, and the lack of transparency in the judicial process have increased concerns about the widespread violation of the rights of political and security defendants. Human rights activists have warned that issuing and executing a death sentence in such conditions can be an example of violating the fundamental principles of fair trial.

Violated Articles:

Violation of the prohibition of torture and forced confession – Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: No individual shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Obtaining a confession under pressure and torture is a clear violation of this principle.

Violation of the right to a fair trial – Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Non-transparent handling, security pressure and lack of full access to effective defense violate the principles of fair trial.

Violation of the right to liberty and personal security – Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Long-term detention in solitary confinement and arrest accompanied by security pressures violate the fundamental rights of defendants.

Violation of the right to an independent and impartial trial – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Handling security cases in a space under the influence of intelligence and security institutions questions the independence of the judicial process.

Violation of the right to life – Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Executing a death sentence in cases accompanied by security charges, forced confessions and non-transparent judicial process threatens the fundamental right to life.

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