HRANA – The death sentence of Benjamin Naghdi (Naqdi), who was arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests, has been upheld by Branch 41 of Iran’s Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz).
According to HRANA, citing Emtedad, the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence issued against Benjamin Naghdi, one of those arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests.
Mustafa Nili, Mr. Naghdi’s attorney, announced that “Branch 41 of the Supreme Court rejected the appeal and upheld the death sentence issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz on the charge of ‘spreading corruption on earth.'”
According to the attorney, “The ruling was formally served on the defense lawyers yesterday, and we will soon file a request for a retrial.”
Mr. Nili further stated that the trial judges considered all of the charges brought against his client to constitute “spreading corruption on earth,” and on that basis imposed the death penalty.
In June 2026, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz had sentenced Benjamin Naghdi to death on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth.”
According to his defense lawyer, Mr. Naghdi was arrested in Shiraz on January 3, 2026, for allegedly igniting a fire extinguisher and directing it toward law enforcement officers during the protests.
Before his arrest, Benjamin Naghdi was active in kickboxing and Muay Thai, and had won championship titles in both sports.
Background on the January 2026 Protests
It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.
