Prisoner

Dariush Rafiee Taghanki was arrested on April 30, 2026, after four months in hiding. This arrest occurred during a raid by government forces in Orumiyeh, Iran. Taghanki is a former political prisoner and a member of the Qashqai Turk community.

On the same day, Iran executed two men: Nasser Bakerzadeh and Yaghoub Karimpour. These executions took place on May 2, 2026, without notifying their families or lawyers, raising significant human rights concerns.

Key facts about the executions:

• Bakerzadeh’s death sentence had been overturned twice by the Supreme Court.
• Karimpour faced severe pressure to produce forced confessions during his trial.
• Both men were transferred to solitary confinement prior to their executions.

Bakerzadeh was 28 years old at the time of his execution. Karimpour’s trial session lasted only 15 minutes, highlighting the expedited nature of judicial proceedings in such cases. The Iranian judiciary has faced criticism for its handling of political prisoners and lack of transparency.

Taghanki’s arrest follows a period of intense security pressure that began in January 2026. Authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the charges against him, raising further questions about his treatment.

Yaghoub Karimpour described his experience in detention as inhumane. He categorically denied transmitting any information to any person or institution, emphasizing the dubious nature of the espionage charges against him.

The circumstances surrounding these events reflect ongoing issues within Iran’s legal system and human rights practices. Activists continue to call for accountability and transparency regarding the treatment of political prisoners in Iran.