Dariush Rafiee Taghanki was arrested on April 30, 2026, after four months in hiding. This former political prisoner is a member of the Qashqai Turk community and has faced ongoing security pressure. The arrest took place during a raid by government forces in Orumiyeh, Iran.
On the same day, Iran executed two men — Nasser Bakerzadeh and Yaghoub Karimpour — without notifying their families or lawyers. This lack of communication raises serious concerns regarding human rights violations within the Iranian judiciary.
Key facts about the executions:
- Bakerzadeh’s death sentence had been overturned twice by the Supreme Court.
- Karimpour experienced severe pressure to produce forced confessions.
- Both men were held in solitary confinement prior to their executions.
The circumstances surrounding Bakerzadeh’s execution are particularly striking. Authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the arresting body or the charges against Taghanki, leaving many questions unanswered.
Karimpour described spending over two months at the Ministry of Intelligence detention center under inhumane conditions. He categorically denied transmitting any information to any person or institution.
This recent series of events highlights a troubling pattern in Iran’s treatment of political prisoners and the broader implications for human rights within the country. No timeline has been shared regarding potential legal actions or appeals related to these cases.