Following protests on January 8, 2026 (18 Dey 1404), Iranian authorities arrested 16 citizens near Shohada Square in Isfahan. Consequently, these individuals now face potential death sentences under harsh Moharebeh charges. Check out our Latest news on political prisoners in Iran to read more about recent judicial crackdowns.
Most of the defendants are young citizens who worked in local shoe and clothing shops. Specifically, the group includes twin sisters Romina and Taraneh Rahimi, as well as three brothers: Milad, Mehrdad, and Ali Boeiri.
Unproven Allegations and IRGC Officer’s Death
During the demonstrations, 37-year-old IRGC Colonel Abbas Kamrani was killed in the area. In addition, security forces rounded up nearby shop workers and their relatives shortly after. However, prosecutors failed to file an explicit murder charge against any of the defendants. Furthermore, state officials provided no independent evidence proving direct involvement in Kamrani’s death.
Instead, the indictment charges most defendants with Moharebeh (enmity against God) for allegedly carrying cold weapons and destroying public property. Therefore, the Shohada Square case Isfahan places these young citizens at immediate risk of execution under Iranian law.
Secretive Trial Inside Dastgerd Prison
The Revolutionary Court held the trial directly inside Dastgerd Prison rather than a public courtroom. Notably, Judges Mohammad Reza Tavakoli and Morteza Barati presided over Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. Indeed, these same judges previously issued multiple death sentences in the notorious Alikhani Square case.
Furthermore, defense attorneys were denied full access to case files prior to the hearings. Consequently, legal monitors have severely questioned the independence and fairness of the court.
Stun Gun Torture and Forced Confessions
Reports indicate that interrogators used extreme physical violence to extract confessions. For instance, defendant Ahmadreza Saeedi testified directly in court that interrogators used stun guns on his neck and genitals. Despite these shocking statements, authorities have launched no independent investigation into interrogator conduct.
The 15 identified defendants in the Shohada Square case Isfahan are:
Milad Boeiri, Mehrdad Boeiri, and Ali Boeiri
Taraneh Rahimi and Romina Rahimi
Ahmad-Reza Saeedi, Setayesh Saedi, and Abolfazl Saeedi
Navid Elyasi and Yasin Elyasi
Armin Gholami, Mehdi Mansouri, and Mehdi Asadi
Hamed Mehralian and Abolfazl Dadgostar
(The identity of the 16th defendant remains unconfirmed).
Violations of International Law
Conducting trials inside prison, withholding files from lawyers, and using torture invalidate all legal proceedings under international standards. Therefore, human rights organizations demand an immediate halt to the trial and an independent review of all charges.
