Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli Death Sentences Under Supreme Court Review

The death sentences of Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli, protesters arrested during nationwide demonstrations, were issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “cooperation and assistance with the Zionist regime.” According to received information, their cases are currently under review by the Supreme Court, while reports highlight coerced confessions, deprivation of chosen legal counsel, and pressure exerted on their families.

Iran Human Rights Society, Friday, July 31, 2026 – The cases of arrested protesters Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli have entered the Supreme Court review stage following death sentences handed down by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary

Court. Supplementary information indicates that the sentences were issued under the presidency of Judge Abolqasem Salavati on charges of “cooperation and assistance with the Zionist regime,” whereas informed sources emphasize that they had only participated in popular street protests. Furthermore, reports have emerged detailing forced confessions, denial of access to chosen legal representation, and security pressure on the defendants’ families.

What You Will Read in This Report

• Death sentences issued for Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli
• Specific charges brought in the case
• Objections to trial proceedings and the role of court-appointed counsel
• Allegations of coerced confessions by Mehdi Nazer
• Security pressure on the defendants’ families
• Legal analysis of the case under domestic law
• Human rights violations evaluation

Fact Box | Mehdi Nazer

Death Sentences Issued for Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli

According to updated information, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, sentenced Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli to death on charges of “cooperation and assistance with the Zionist regime.”

Informed sources state that both individuals merely participated in public demonstrations and firmly reject any charges of collaborating with Israel. Based on reports, judicial officials interpreted participation in protests as evidence of collaboration with Israel, issuing severe death sentences under laws enhancing espionage penalties.

The cases for both convicts are currently under review by the Supreme Court.

Prison Sentences and Property Confiscation

In addition to the death sentence, Mehdi Nazer, Mahnaz Chardoli, and Atefeh Nazer were each sentenced to 10 years of discretionary imprisonment (Ta’zir) on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security during wartime.”

Reports indicate that a vehicle belonging to Mehdi Nazer was confiscated, and the defendants’ mobile phones were seized.

Informed sources note that the maximum statutory penalty for “assembly and collusion against national security” under standard Iranian criminal law is two to five years’ imprisonment; however, Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court imposed a 10-year sentence on all three defendants.

Allegations of Coerced Confession and Pressure Regarding Sister’s Release

A central concern highlighted in this case involves forced confessions extracted from Mehdi Nazer.

According to incoming reports, although a few Molotov cocktails were in his possession, they were never used. An informed source stated that Mehdi Nazer confessed to using Molotov cocktails under pressure from interrogators, who promised that his sister, Atefeh Nazer, would be released if he accepted the charge.

Judicial authorities have not officially confirmed or denied this claim.

Procedural Irregularities and Deprivation of Chosen Counsel

Published reports reveal that during trial proceedings, the defendants’ families and their chosen defense attorneys were barred from attending court hearings.

It was further reported that the court-appointed lawyer, Yunes Karimi, failed to provide an effective defense and demanded large sums of money from the families to follow up on the case.

An informed source also clarified that, contrary to some initial media reports, Mahnaz Chardoli is not the wife or fiancée of Mehdi Nazer, but rather a friend of his sister, Atefeh Nazer.

Finally, the source reported sustained security pressure on the families of all three defendants to prevent them from sharing information with media outlets and human rights organizations.

Legal Review of the Case Based on Domestic Laws

Iran’s legal framework regarding security-related offenses has drawn persistent criticism from jurists and human rights bodies due to non-compliance with fair trial standards, vague statutory interpretations, and extensive reliance on capital punishment. The proceedings against Mehdi Nazer and his co-defendants raise serious legal questions regarding defense rights, sentence proportionality, access to chosen representation, and the evidentiary value of coerced admissions.

Legal Ambiguities

According to available details, the defendants’ chosen attorney and family members were systematically excluded from trial proceedings, leaving representation entirely to court-appointed counsel. Furthermore, reports indicate that Mehdi Nazer’s confession was obtained under duress and false promises regarding his sister’s release.

Additionally, the imposition of a 10-year prison sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security”—a charge carrying a statutory maximum of five years—violates the principle of legality of crime and punishment (nulla poena sine lege).

Relevant Statutory Provisions

• Article 32 of the Constitution: Requires strict adherence to legal procedure during arrest and detention.
• Article 35 of the Constitution: Guarantees all defendants the right to select their own legal counsel.
• Article 36 of the Constitution: Mandates that sentences must be imposed solely by a competent court in accordance with statutory law.
• Article 37 of the Constitution: Guarantees the presumption of innocence.
• Article 38 of the Constitution: Strictly forbids torture or coercion for extracting confessions or statements.
• Code of Criminal Procedure: Assures the right to an effective defense, access to chosen counsel, and adherence to procedural standards.

Statutory Violations

Key legal deficiencies identified in this case include:

• Deprivation of chosen legal representation;
• Extracted confessions obtained under coercion;
• Failure to guarantee an effective defense;
• Imposition of a prison term exceeding the statutory maximum for security charges;
• Harassment and pressure on families to enforce silence.

Human Rights Violations Regarding Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli

From the perspective of international human rights standards, the cases of Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli present severe violations. Reports of coerced confessions, denial of chosen counsel, restricted defense rights, family intimidation, and capital sentences conflict directly with fundamental human rights principles.

In capital cases, strict adherence to fair trial guarantees is mandatory under international law. Any allegations of torture, coerced confessions, or restricted legal access severely compromise the right to life and due process.

Relevant International Legal Instruments

• Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The right to life, liberty, and security of person.
• Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Absolute prohibition of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The right to a fair hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.
• Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Protects the inherent right to life and restricts capital punishment strictly to proceedings where all fair trial safeguards are met.
• Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Guarantees access to legal counsel, adequate time for defense, and fair trial standards.
• Convention Against Torture: Explicitly rejects forced statements or confessions extracted under duress.
• UN Nelson Mandela Rules: Mandates respect for human dignity and the prohibition of degrading treatment against prisoners.

The reports surrounding Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardoli highlight ongoing human rights concerns regarding protest-related trials in Iran, the broad application of the death penalty, due process violations, and security pressure on defendants’ families.

See also the below articles:

• Benyamin Naqdi Death Sentence Upheld by Iranian Supreme Court
• 12 Sunni Arab Citizens Arrested in Abadan and Mahshahr Crackdown

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