Protester Mohammad Javad Vafayi-Sani Sentenced to Death for Corruption on Earth

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, Branch Four of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court has sentenced 26-year-old Mohammad Javad Vafayi-Sani to death on charges of efsad-fil-arz. Mohammad Javad was arrested on 7 February 2020 on charges of “arson and intentional destruction of special buildings, including a government penitentiary building” and set a bail of 30 billion tomans (around €950k).

Speaking to Iran Human Rights, an informed source said: “One of the charges against him has been cited as participating in the November 2019 protests.”

His lawyer, Babak Paknia tweeted: “I read the judgement today and will be writing and requesting an appeal within the next twenty days.”

Mohammad Javad Vafayi-Sani who is currently held in Mashhad Central Prison, was a boxing champion in Mashhad.

Due to their vague definitions, the charges of moharebeh (enmity against God), efsad-fil-arz (corruption on Earth) and baghy (armed rebellion) are used for a wide range of offences. Additionally, as they are within the Revolutionary Courts’ jurisdiction, there is considerable subjectivity in the judgements made in the cases.

Efsad-fil-arz has been used by Revolutionary Court judges, particularly in cases where a death sentence would otherwise be difficult to justify based on other charges and irrefutable evidence.

In 2020, at least 15 people were executed on charges of moharebeh, efsad-fil-arz and baghy. This is an increase from 2019, when 9 were executed on the same charges.

Those executed on security charges include members of opposition groups and religious minorities. Dissident journalist, Ruhollah Zam was also executed on efsad-fil-arz charges on 12 December 2020.