Who is Iman Afshari? A Profile of Iran’s Notorious Judge 

Introduction

Iman Afshari is one of Iran’s most notorious judges, known for his harsh rulings against political prisoners, human rights activists, and ethnic and religious minorities. As the presiding judge of Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, Afshari has played a pivotal role in upholding the oppressive policies of the Iranian regime, issuing death sentences and lengthy prison terms against those who challenge the regime. His actions have led to sanctions from several Western governments, yet he continues to serve as an instrument of state repression in Iran. 

Background and Judicial Career

Iman Afshari has served as the head of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court since at least 2017. In this capacity, he has been responsible for presiding over trials that are widely condemned as lacking due process and impartiality. Many of the individuals prosecuted by Afshari have faced trumped-up charges such as moharebeh (waging war against God), efsad-e-fel-arz (corruption on Earth), and espionage—all frequently used by the Iranian regime to silence dissent. 

The Revolutionary Courts in Iran, including Afshari’s Branch 26, operate outside the norms of a fair judiciary. These courts systematically deny defendants access to independent legal counsel, conduct trials behind closed doors, and heavily rely on forced confessions extracted under torture. Afshari’s role in this corrupt judicial system has made him one of the most feared judges among Iran’s political prisoners. 

#IranRevolution2022
According to reports, Mohammad-Reza Qanbartalab [left] formally withdrew his complaint, saying, "I don't want compensation. I fix my motorcycle. Don't hang Mahan."
However, the mullah-judge Iman Afshari insists on executing Mahan Sadrat [right].#MahsaAmini🌹 pic.twitter.com/1LYAn8UZY3

— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) December 9, 2022

Human Rights Abuses and Notable Cases

Afshari has been instrumental in a wave of politically motivated trials, resulting in death sentences and severe punishments for prisoners of conscience. Below are some of the most egregious examples of his rulings: 

• Execution of Four Kurdish Political Prisoners (2024): Afshari sentenced Kurdish prisoners Pejman Fatahi, Mohsen Mazloum, Hajir Faramarzi, and Vafa Azarbar to death on charges of collaborating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. The trial was held in secret, and the verdict relied on forced confessions obtained under duress. 
• Execution of Habib Asyoud (May 2023): An Iranian-Swedish dual national, Asyoud was sentenced to death for alleged terrorist activities. His conviction was based on confessions extracted under torture, and he was denied access to independent legal representation. 

• Death Sentences for Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hasani (2024): These two political prisoners were sentenced to death for allegedly engaging in activities against the regime. Their charges included baghy (armed rebellion) and efsad-e-fel-arz (corruption on Earth), vague accusations frequently used to justify executions. 

Iran’s Revolutionary Court Sentences Eight Political Prisoners to Long Jail Terms and Exile
In a recent ruling by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, eight political prisoners have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms and exile.… pic.twitter.com/3Hfyz12YgA

— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) September 17, 2024

Imprisonment of Human Rights Activists and Protesters

• Women’s Rights Defenders: In 2019, Afshari sentenced Saba Kord Afshari to 24 years in prison for protesting Iran’s mandatory hijab laws. Her charges included “encouraging corruption and prostitution” due to her public defiance of the dress code. Similarly, women’s rights activists Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi were each sentenced to 10 years in prison in a trial that lasted only one hour. 

• Crackdown on Religious Minorities: Afshari has played a key role in persecuting members of the Baha’i faith and Christian converts. In February 2024, he sentenced Hakop Gochumyan, an Armenian Christian, to 10 years in prison for alleged proselytizing activities. Similarly, he handed down a two-year sentence to Laleh Sa’ati, a Christian convert, for alleged ties to “Zionist Christian organizations.” 

• Student Protesters and Activists: During the 2022 uprising in Iran, Afshari issued harsh sentences against demonstrators. 

Political prisoner Shahab Nadali has been sentenced to execution#ShahabNadali, a political prisoner from Hamedan, has been convicted and sentenced to execution by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Iran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, in a fabricated case on charges… pic.twitter.com/sWgBs1KpkL

— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) February 22, 2024

International Sanctions and Condemnation

Iman Afshari’s record of human rights abuses has led to international condemnation. Several countries have imposed sanctions on him: 

• United Kingdom (December 9, 2022): Sanctioned under the Iran (Sanctions) (Human Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 for serious human rights violations, including denying fair trials and suppressing freedom of expression. 

• Canada (December 7, 2022): Sanctioned under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations for his role in systematic repression. 

• Calls for U.S. Sanctions: While the United States has yet to sanction Afshari, human rights organizations have urged Washington to do so, highlighting his role in mass executions and unlawful imprisonments. 

A Symbol of the Clerical Dictatorship’s Repression

Iman Afshari embodies the brutality of the Iranian regime’s judicial system, which serves as an extension of the regime’s security apparatus rather than an institution of justice. His rulings reflect the systemic persecution of dissidents, minorities, and women in Iran. By handing down heavy sentences based on coerced confessions and politically motivated charges, he has helped maintain the regime’s grip on power through fear and intimidation. 

As international scrutiny intensifies, Afshari remains a key figure in the Iranian regime’s machinery of oppression.