The Supreme Court of Iran has confirmed the death sentence for Mohammad Abbasi, a prominent figure among those arrested following the nationwide protests in December 2025, which erupted in response to allegations surrounding the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Shahin Dehghani Kakavandi. The court's ruling, issued by Branch 39, also upheld a 25-year prison sentence for Abbasi's daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi.

Both individuals are currently detained; Mohammad Abbasi in Qezelhesar Prison and Fatemeh in the women’s section of Evin Prison. Their arrest and subsequent sentences stem from accusations of "moharebeh," or "enmity against God," a charge often levied against political dissidents in Iran. The Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, initially sentenced them without substantial evidence, triggering widespread ire among human rights advocates.

Attorney Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani expressed grave concerns about the process, stating that a significant number of ambiguities exist in the case, yet independent legal representatives have been denied access to pertinent case files. This lack of transparency has raised alarms about the fairness of the trial and the validity of the charges.

In the wake of the initial sentences, the case was appealed to the Supreme Court. However, the Abbasi family's preferred legal representatives were barred from participating in the proceedings, as stipulated in Note to Article 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which restricts lawyer access in national security cases.

Despite the legal challenges presented by their defense team, the court's rejection of the appeal serves as a sobering reminder of the Iranian regime's heavy-handed approach to quelling dissent. Human rights organizations have routinely criticized Iran's judiciary for its use of broad national security charges, arbitrary detentions, and limited rights for defendants, further complicating the landscape of justice in the country.

The confirmation of these sentences has sparked renewed calls for international intervention and scrutiny over Iran's human rights practices, particularly regarding its handling of peaceful protests and the unjustifiable use of capital punishment.