Iran Sentences Three Brothers to Death Over Protest Allegations

Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported the issuance of death sentences for two brothers, Hadi and Fazlollah Nikbakht, warning that both are at imminent risk of execution. Their other brother, Mohammad Nikbakht, is also facing charges that could potentially lead to a capital sentence.

According to the report, Hadi and Fazlollah Nikbakht were sentenced to death approximately two weeks ago by the Revolutionary Court of Golpayegan on charges of “corruption on earth.” The two brothers were arrested at their home in Golpayegan on October 24, 2025, after they attempted to prevent the confiscation of their agricultural land. Following two months of absolute incommunicado detention, they were transferred to Isfahan Central Prison, also known as Dastgerd Prison.

Hadi Nikbakht, 45, and Fazlollah Nikbakht, 51, are both fathers of three children and are regarded as political activists. They had previously participated in a campaign demanding a referendum on the continuation of the Islamic Republic’s governance.

An informed source told Iran Human Rights that the trial hearing for the two brothers was conducted via videoconference; however, due to the prison’s weak internet connection, they were unable to properly follow the judicial proceedings.

The two defendants appeared in court with a public defender and were verbally notified of their death sentences roughly two weeks ago. According to the organization, the precise acts defining the charge of “corruption on earth” have not been specified in the case file, but it has been claimed that they engaged in organizing youth for anti-government protests.

Following the issuance of the death sentences, the Nikbakht family appointed a lawyer to pursue the case, though it remains unclear whether this lawyer has been granted access to the file. Under the law, Hadi and Fazlollah Nikbakht have 20 days to appeal the verdicts.

Mohammad Nikbakht, the other brother in the family, was violently arrested at his home in March 2026 and held in absolute incommunicado detention for two months. The 48-year-old Christian citizen has so far been verbally threatened on two occasions with charges that carry the death penalty.

Currently, Mohammad Nikbakht is being held in the political prisoners’ ward of Isfahan Central Prison, whereas Hadi and Fazlollah Nikbakht are being held among ordinary prisoners without segregation based on the nature of their charges.

Source: IranWire, Staff, June 24, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
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