Middle East Forum for Development (MEFD) expresses grave concern over reports that five political prisoners held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz: Masoud Jamei, Alireza Merdasi (Hamidavi), Farshad Etemadifar, Reza Abdali, and Hassan Maslavi, are at imminent risk of execution following a recent ruling by Iran’s Supreme Court.

According to available reports, four of these individuals have been sentenced to death on charges including “moharebeh” (enmity against God), “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the state,” and membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

We are deeply concerned by the reported use of capital punishment in cases involving political affiliation or association with opposition groups, as well as the broader implications for the right to life and fair trial guarantees. The imposition and potential implementation of death sentences in such circumstances raise serious concerns regarding due process, judicial transparency, and compliance with international human rights obligations.

MEFD calls on the authorities in Iran to immediately halt any planned executions, suspend the death sentences imposed in these cases, and ensure that all detainees are granted fair and transparent legal proceedings in line with international standards.

We further urge the United Nations, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, relevant international human rights mechanisms, and governments worldwide to take urgent, coordinated steps to prevent these executions from being carried out.