Manouchehr Fallah, a 43-year-old father from Rasht, faces execution following an 18-month detention marked by forced confession and denial of legal representation.
Fallah, who worked as a tattoo artist and supported himself through various manual labor and sales jobs, was arrested at Rasht Airport on June 17, 2023.
The charges against him include “waging war against God” through alleged actions against national security, specifically the placement of two sound bombs near a courthouse in Rasht.
According to a confidential source familiar with the case, authorities used severe pressure tactics during Fallah’s detention. Most notably, security forces detained his brother-in-law as leverage to extract a confession.
While Fallah remained silent about his own treatment in custody – reportedly to preserve the morale of fellow inmates – he has acknowledged that his confession was obtained under torture.
The case has taken a significant toll on Fallah’s family, especially his daughter, who turned 18 on February 8.
She has been unable to see her father for months, adding a personal dimension to the broader human rights concerns raised by the case.
Throughout the entire judicial process, Fallah was denied access to legal representation – a fundamental right under international law. This denial of counsel, combined with allegations of a coerced confession and the detention of family members as leverage, raises serious questions about the fairness of the proceedings that led to his death sentence.
Fallah has been tried in two separate cases.
The first was reviewed by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mehdi Rasekhi, where he was sentenced to seven months and 16 days in prison for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic” and one year, three months, and one day for “insulting the Supreme Leader.”
These verdicts were issued in December 2023, and after submitting to the ruling, part of his sentence was reduced. He ultimately completed his prison term in this case in April 2024.
His second case, however, involved the charge of “waging war against God” through “actions against national security” and “damaging the judiciary and IRGC intelligence buildings in Gilan.”
This case remained pending for months in Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court.
A source familiar with Fallah’s case told IranWire that he remained in legal limbo for months, with the court deliberately delaying the trial.
Finally, in December 2024, his court session was held via video conference, after which he was sentenced to death.
The source explained that although Fallah completed his previous prison term in April 2024, the judiciary delayed issuing a verdict in his other case.
His situation became so dire that he went on a hunger strike for about a month. Several of his fellow inmates also joined the strike in solidarity, protesting the uncertainty and prolonged suspension of his case.
Following this hunger strike, his death sentence was formally communicated to his lawyers on February 2.
A former cellmate who spoke to IranWire confirmed that Fallah was denied access to a lawyer for months and was tortured into confessing.
“He didn’t talk much about the torture he endured, but he did say that he had been tortured,” the source said.
Regarding the accusations against Fallah, the source added: “They claim he detonated two sound bombs in front of the judiciary and IRGC intelligence buildings. Even if that were true, by their own admission, it happened at night when no one was around, and no person or property was harmed.
“They accused him of waging war against God even though no one was frightened, let alone harmed. There is no evidence in his file – no witness, no complainant, nothing.”
Describing Fallah’s personality, the former inmate told IranWire, “Prison food is awful – often undercooked. Manouchehr would make it better for everyone without expecting anything in return.
“He’d buy garlic, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes whenever he could and add them to the prison food to improve the taste.
“He taught others how to cook. He built a family inside the ward. He’s incredibly kind, always cheerful, full of energy. He treats everyone with love and respect. He has a strong spirit and is always the first to help a fellow prisoner in need.”
Fallah’s kindness and compassion have already drawn public attention. Many former cellmates have spoken out against his death sentence.
Source » iranwire