Political Prisoner Brothers Hadi, Fazlollah and Mohammad Nikbakht at Risk of Death Penalty

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, political prisoners Hadi and Fazlollah Nikbakht were sentenced to death on charges of efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) by the Golpaygan Revolutionary Court around two weeks ago. The two brothers were arrested at their homes in Golpaygan on 24 October 2025 after they attempted to stop authorities from seizing their farmland. They were held incommunicado for two months and transferred to Isfahan (Dastgerd) Central Prison. 

Hadi, a 45-year-old father of three, and Fazlollah, a 51-year-old father of three, are political activists who previously participated in the campaign calling for a referendum on the Islamic Republic staying in power. 

An informed source told IHRNGO: “The Golpaygan Revolutionary Court conducted a virtual hearing for Hadi and Fazlollah; however, due to a poor internet connection within the prison facilities, they were unable to follow the proceedings.”

The brothers were represented by a state-appointed lawyer and around two weeks ago, they were notified of the verdict condemning them to death. Although the precise actions constituting the charge of efsad-fil-arz remain unclear, the defendants were accused of mobilising youth to protest against the authorities.  

After the issuance of the death sentences, a lawyer hired by the family has taken Hadi and Fazel’s case. However, it is not clear whether he has been granted access to the case file. They have a statutory 20-day window to appeal the decision. 

Hadi and Fazel’s other brother, Mohammad Nikbakht, was violently arrested at his home in March 2026 and held incommunicado for two months. The 48-year-old Christian convert was verbally threatened on two occasions with charges carrying the death penalty.

Mohammad is being held in the political prisoners’ ward, while Hadi and Fazlollah are being detained in the general population without segregation based on the nature of their alleged offences.

Photo left to right: Fazlollah, Mohammad and Hadi Nikbakhkt