Tag: Mohammad-Javad Vafaie

Death Sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Upheld by the Supreme Court

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Executions, News
Mashhad, Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, Vakilabad

HRANA – The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani, a political prisoner, has once again been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court after his request for retrial was rejected.

The informed source told HRANA: “On Monday, December 15, 2025, the rejection of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani’s request for retrial by the Supreme Court was formally communicated to him in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Following this notification, prison authorities informed the Vafaie family during a phone call that his case had been sent to the Mashhad Office for the Implementation of Sentences. In addition, his mother was unexpectedly granted an in-person visit. Taken together, final confirmation of the sentence, referral of the case for implementation, and the sudden family visit, these developments indicate that this political prisoner’s situation has entered a highly concerning stage.”

The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani had previously been overturned twice by the Supreme Court, but in recent months it was upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court. Following this decision, his defense attorney submitted another request for retrial, which was ultimately rejected. Most recently, in September 2024, Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death on charges of “corruption on earth.”

This 28-year-old political prisoner and boxing coach was arrested in Mashhad in March 2020 and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. In the initial stage of proceedings, he was also sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on charges of “corruption on earth through deliberate destruction.” That verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel branch for reconsideration. In the second trial, a death sentence was again issued, which was likewise overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2024.

Iran’s Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Political Prisoner Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Again

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Mashhad, Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, محمد جواد وفایی

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of Iran has for the second time overturned the death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, a 28-year-old boxing coach turned political prisoner. His case has now been reassigned to another branch for a new trial.

Babak Paknia, the attorney for Vafaie, confirmed the development to the public.

Vafaie was initially arrested by security forces in Mashhad in March 2020 and has since been detained in Vakilabad Prison.

He was originally sentenced to death in January 2020 on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” by committing arson and deliberately destroying public property, including a penitentiary facility. Despite the Supreme Court overturning this initial verdict, Branch 2 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court reimposed the death sentence in July 2023, necessitating another Supreme Court review which resulted in the recent overturn.

Political Prisoner Mohammad-Javad Vafaie at Risk of Death Penalty

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Babak Paknia, Mashhad, Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, Vakilabad prison

Political prisoner Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, currently held in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, is facing the threat of execution. The Revolutionary Court of Mashhad handed down a death sentence after a retrial in July 2023.

Vafaie, a 28-year-old boxing coach, was arrested by security forces in Mashhad in March 2020 and subsequently incarcerated in Vakilabad Prison. In January 2020, Babak Paknia, Vafaie’s lawyer, revealed that his client had been convicted of “spreading corruption on earth through arson and intentional destruction of public property, including the penitentiary building.” However, the Supreme Court later overturned the initial verdict, leading to a retrial in another branch.

Despite the retrial, the Revolutionary Court once again sentenced him to death. Notably, following the verdict, Vafaie was granted a substantial bail, which he was unable to afford.

The reissuance of the death sentence after the retrial has raised serious concerns about the potential imminent execution of Mohammad-Javad Vafaie.

Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani Sentenced to Death After Retrial

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Babak Paknia, Mashhad, Mashhad Revolutionary Court, Mohammad-Javad Vafaie

In a recent development at the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, political prisoner Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani has been handed a death sentence. This verdict comes after the Supreme Court had initially overturned the previous death sentence and ordered a retrial at another branch court.

Breaking the news, Babak Paknia, Vafaie’s lawyer, disclosed that despite the Supreme Court’s argument against the death sentence, the court has once again sentenced him to death. The lawyer has vowed to appeal for a retrial within the moratorium period.

According to Paknia, Vafaie has been accused of “spreading corruption on earth” and “arson of property, including the Government Penitentiary Building.” Following this latest ruling, Vafaie was granted a heavy bail, which unfortunately he was unable to afford, leading to his continued detention.

The case has taken a series of twists and turns, with the Supreme Court eventually overturning the previous verdict, leading to the transfer of the case to another branch court.

Vafaie, a 26-year-old boxing coach, was arrested in March of 2020 by security forces in Mashhad city.