Alireza Barmazpournak

Alireza Barmazpournak is a 28-year-old “Woman, Life, Freedom” protester and one of the defendants in the case known as “Ekbatan” (name of the Tehran neighbourhood where the protest took place). He was arrested on 3 November 2022 accused of injuring an IRGC member named Arman Ali Verdi on 26 October 2022, which led to his death two days later. The defendants in the case were subjected to torture and ill-treatment to extract false self-incriminating confessions that were later aired by state media. They were also taken to the scene of the alleged crime on 18 December 2022 to reenact what took place. Alireza was briefly released on bail before being taken into custody again. They were held in Gohardasht (Rajai Shahr Prison) until its closure in August 2023 when he was transferred to Ghezelhesar Prison. 

REVOLUTIONARY COURT CASE: In a press conference on 26 April 2023, a Judiciary spokesman said Milad Armoun and two others were indicted for charges of moharebeh (enmity against god). The lawyers in the case have confirmed that Milad, Navid and the two other defendants’ case has been assigned to Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by “Death Judge” Salavati. The Revolutionary Court is awaiting the decision in the Criminal Court case before commencing proceedings.

CRIMINAL COURT CASE: Sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for participation in murder by Branch 13 of the Tehran Criminal Court on 13 November 2024. The sentence was later overturned by the Supreme Court and ultimately commuted on 20 May 2026. According to state media, Alireza was acquitted of murder.