Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 14 October 2026: Varisheh Moradi, a Kurdish political prisoner, has been resentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Per her lawyers, the court resentenced her to death without carrying out the investigations mandated by the Supreme Court. Varisheh is an honorary citizen of the city of Poggibonsi, Italy.
According to her lawyers, Varisheh Moradi has been resentenced to death on the charge of membership in a baghi group (one that carries out baghy or armed rebellion) by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by “Death Judge” Salavati.
The 41-year-old Kurdish political prisoner who is currently held in Evin Prison was sentenced to death by the same court on 10 November 2024. The Supreme Court overturned her sentence on 10 December 2025 "due to defects in the investigation and breaches of procedural requirements (in particular, the failure at the various stages of the proceedings to inform her of the charge forming the basis of the death sentence).” The case was referred back to the same branch for retrial.
In May 2025, Varisheh was awarded honorary citizenship of Poggibonsi, a city in Italy.
Amir Sajadi, one of Moradi's defence lawyers, confirmed the decision in an interview with Emtedad, stating: "Following the receipt of a notice from Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on 13 October 2026, one of Ms Moradi's lawyers attended the branch on 14 October 2026, where the ruling was formally served. Under the notified verdict, which is subject to appeal before the Supreme Court within 20 days, the branch has re-sentenced Ms Varisheh Moradi (Mirzaei) to death on charges of membership in an armed rebel group."
Keyvan Azizi, another member of her legal team, criticised the ruling, telling Emtedad: "This ruling was issued despite the fact that the previous death sentence issued by Branch 15 had been overturned by the Supreme Court after it raised serious doubts regarding the investigation. Unfortunately, Branch 15 failed to carry out the investigations instructed by the Supreme Court and simply altered the title of the charge before sentencing her to death once more for membership in an armed rebel group."
Sajadi further stated: "In the defence team's view, there is no sufficient or solid evidence to substantiate such an accusation against Ms Varisheh Moradi. She was never involved in any operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and her past activities were strictly related to the fight against ISIS in northern Syria, having no connection to the Islamic Republic."
The lawyers said they will lodge an appeal within the statutory deadline.
On 29 July 2026, Varisheh’s lawyers warned that prison authorities are severely violating her basic rights by unlawfully denying her prescribed specialised medical care for over nine months, withholding essential medical devices provided by her family, and arbitrarily enforcing expired bans on family visits and phone calls.