An Iranian woman facing the death penalty for her involvement in protests has issued a desperate plea for international intervention, urging global actors to save her life and those of others similarly condemned.
Mahboubeh Shahbani, 33, communicated her plea from a prison in the eastern city of Mashhad via an audio message shared by human rights organizations. Her appeal comes amid a reported increase in executions of individuals linked to the mass protests that preceded an escalating conflict involving the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic.
Rights groups contend that Iranian authorities are accelerating executions of prominent prisoners to quell dissent and prevent any resurgence of public demonstrations. Shahbani expressed deep concern not only for her own fate but also for fellow inmates whose death sentences have been upheld, highlighting the pervasive fear and stress endured by those awaiting execution.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Shahbani was convicted of actions deemed to support Israel and the United States, as well as opposition groups, during the protests. However, Iran Human Rights (IHR) disputes this, asserting that her alleged offense involved using her motorcycle to transport injured protesters. IHR also reported that Shahbani was moved to solitary confinement following her prison call.
The Iranian judiciary has confirmed the executions of Ali Hemmati and Majid Nik-Andish in Mashhad, who were charged in connection with the deaths of four security force members during the protests. IHR data indicates that since executions resumed in March, 31 men have been executed in connection with the January protests, with two additional individuals executed for their role in the 2022 protests. Dozens more are reportedly at risk of execution, including an estimated nine women facing death sentences on political and security-related charges.
