Mashhad death sentences and the Magnitsky award for Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani
A November 11 report identified 15 people under death sentences in Vakilabad Prison. In a separate case, imprisoned boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani received a Magnitsky Human Rights Award.
Reviewed and published by: HumanInChain Editorial Team ·
A report published on November 11, 2026, identified 15 people, including two women, held under death sentences in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison after arrests connected to the January protests. According to the report, the Supreme Court upheld at least three of the sentences, and those cases were referred for enforcement. HumanInChain has not independently reviewed the judgments.
In a separate case, the Magnitsky award for outstanding human rights activist went to imprisoned boxer and coach Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani at a November 12 ceremony in London. He was arrested after the November 2019 protests and remains under a death sentence.