Arrest

Shahin Vasaf was arrested along with another civilian, Nasser Vassaf, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Orumiyeh, West Azerbaijan Province, on 21 September 2022, and taken to the Ministry’s detention centre in the city.

He was subjected to torture for several months in order to extract forced confessions and admit to the charge of “espionage for Israel”.

After the detention period ended, he was moved to Orumiyeh Central Prison.

Judicial Process

Vasaf’s trial took place without the right to a chosen lawyer at Branch Three of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Orumiyeh, presided over by Judge Reza Najafzadeh.

On 3 October 2023, he was informed in prison of the death sentence issued against him for “espionage for Israel”.

Current Status

Vasaf is currently being held in Orumiyeh Central Prison.

Notes:

1. According to Article 7 of the “14-Article Plan for Hostile Confrontation with the Zionist Regime’s Actions Against Regional and International Peace and Security,” passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran in 2020: “Any intelligence or espionage cooperation in favour of the Zionist regime is considered as ‘spreading corruption on earth’ and ‘enmity against God’ and the perpetrator shall be sentenced to the maximum punishment.”