Ehsan Rostami, a cultural activist, publisher, bookseller, and Kurdish translator from Harsin in Kermanshah province, who has been in detention since August 2025, was formally charged on December 10, 2025, with the heavy accusation of “Baghi.” This is one of the most severe security charges under Iran’s legal system and can lead to the death penalty or other extreme punishments. Following the charge, he was transferred to solitary confinement in Evin Prison, triggering serious concern among his family and human rights defenders.
Background of the Arrest
Ehsan Rostami was arrested on August 20, 2025, in Tehran by security forces. He was detained alongside several other figures active in publishing and cultural work, including Ramin Rostami, Hassan Tozandehjani, Marjan Ardeshirzadeh, and Nima Mahdizadegan, during coordinated raids on their homes. They were transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is under the control of security agencies.
To date, neither his family nor independent lawyers have been provided with clear information about the evidence or legal basis of the charges. The family has repeatedly protested against prolonged detention, lack of regular contact, denial of in-person visits, and the absence of access to a lawyer of their choosing.
The “Baghi” Charge and the Risk of Execution
The charge of “Baghi” is among the most severe accusations used in security-related cases in Iran. It carries the potential for capital punishment, as well as other extreme penalties. The use of this charge against a non-violent cultural activist whose work has centered on publishing, translation, and intellectual activity has raised grave concerns about judicial abuse, lack of due process, and violations of fundamental legal rights.
According to information provided by family members, Rostami and several other detainees have also gone on hunger strike in protest against their prolonged detention, harsh conditions, and the absence of fair legal proceedings — a step that places his physical health and life at even greater risk.
Execution as a Tool of Suppression
Human rights defenders emphasize that the case of Ehsan Rostami must be viewed in the broader context of Iran’s increasing use of the death penalty. More than 2,000 executions have reportedly been carried out in Iran to date, reflecting a sharp escalation in the use of capital punishment.
Activists and analysts argue that the Iranian regime increasingly uses execution as a mechanism to instill fear, silence dissent, and suppress political, social, and cultural opposition. Security-based charges leading to death sentences are frequently imposed without fair trials, transparency, or access to independent legal defense.
Pressure on the Family
Following Ehsan Rostami’s arrest, members of his family have also come under pressure, including the detention of his father and sister in recent months. Observers believe such actions are intended to intensify psychological pressure and extract forced confessions, while weakening family support networks for detainees.
Call To Action
Ehsan Rostami, a cultural activist and translator, is facing one of the gravest charges under Iran’s legal system — a charge that could cost him his life. His case exemplifies the systematic use of capital punishment by the Iranian regime to intimidate, silence, and eliminate dissent, particularly among cultural and intellectual figures.
Immediate attention from international media, human rights organizations, and the global community is urgently needed to prevent irreversible harm.
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