Amnesty International and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Dr. Mai Sato, have expressed grave concern over reports that Iranian authorities are attempting to transfer five political prisoners on death row from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar, a facility notorious for executions.
The prisoners—Vahid Bani Amerian, Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, Babak Alipour, Pouya Ghobadi, and Akbar (Shahrokh) Daneshvarkar—were convicted by a Revolutionary Court following what Amnesty called a “grossly unfair trial marred by allegations of torture to extract forced confessions.”
On April 17, Amnesty International warned that the five men “could be moved at any time” under a judicial order. The organization urged Iranian authorities to “immediately halt any plans to execute” them and to “quash their convictions and death sentences.”
Amnesty International is concerned that the 5 men could be moved at any time following the judicial order to transfer them. The men were sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court after a grossly unfair trial marred by allegations of torture to extract forced “confessions”. 2/3
— Amnesty Iran (@AmnestyIran) April 17, 2025
Dr. Mai Sato echoed these concerns on social media, stating: “Very concerned by reports of five political prisoners being forcibly transferred from Evin Prison’s Ward 4 to Qezel Hesar Prison. All five men are on death row.” She emphasized the broader toll of executions, adding: “The cost of executions extends far beyond those executed—devastating families, traumatising fellow prisoners, affecting prison staff, and creating cycles of anguish throughout communities.”
Tensions escalated on April 16 when the five men were summoned for transfer from Evin to Ghezel Hesar. Political prisoners protested the forced move, triggering a violent response by prison guards under orders from Evin’s director, Heydatollah Farzadi, and Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence.
The cost of executions extends far beyond those executed—devastating families, traumatising fellow prisoners, affecting prison staff, and creating cycles of anguish throughout communities. The emotional toll is immeasurable.
— Mai Sato (@drmaisato.bsky.social) (@drmaisato) April 17, 2025
All five prisoners have had past affiliations with the opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), known for its pro-democracy stance.
In addition to these five cases, Amnesty has raised alarm over a broader surge in executions, including at least 20 Baluch prisoners in recent days. The organization is calling for an immediate halt to all executions in Iran.
Dr. Sato concluded: “These cases highlight ongoing concerns about the Islamic Republic of Iran’s use of the death penalty. I will be monitoring this situation closely. The international community must not remain silent.”