Death Sentence Issued for 22-Year-Old Protester Elia Ben-Rashid on “Moharebeh” Charges
The fifth branch of Isfahan’s Revolutionary Court has sentenced 22-year-old Arab protester Elia Ben-Rashid to death on charges of “moharebeh” (waging war against the state). Ben-Rashid was among those arrested during December 2024 protests. The verdict was announced to him on October 20, 2026 (28 Mehr 1405) at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. In addition to the death sentence, Ben-Rashid has been sentenced to over four years of imprisonment and two years of travel ban. Reports have also emerged regarding his deprivation of access to a lawyer of his choosing and allegations of mistreatment during detention.
Human rights organizations have reported that the fifth branch of Isfahan’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Elia Ben-Rashid to death on charges of “moharebeh through participation in destruction of public property.” The verdict was announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.
News agency Hengaw also reported the issuance of the death sentence for this detainee, noting that in the same case, he was sentenced to three years, six months, and one day of imprisonment on charges of “assembly and conspiracy to commit crimes against state security,” and nine months and one day of imprisonment on charges of “propaganda against the system.” The combined prison sentences total four years, three months, and two days.
The court also sentenced Ben-Rashid to two years of travel ban. The charges mentioned in the case and the issued verdict are based on reports published by human rights organizations; independent information regarding the complete details of the court ruling and his defense is not available.
Elia Ben-Rashid was previously sentenced in a separate case by branch 102 of Shahinshahr Criminal Court to six months of imprisonment and 20 lashes.
According to a previous Hengaw report, this verdict was issued on charges of participation in theft of a computer case belonging to Shahinshahr’s health and medical network. In the same case, he was acquitted of charges of disturbing public order through participation in protests.
The hearing on security-related charges against him in the fifth branch of Isfahan’s Revolutionary Court was conducted via videoconference in mid-April 2025. At that time, Ben-Rashid faced charges of moharebeh, assembly and conspiracy against state security, and propaganda against the system.
According to Hengaw, Ben-Rashid is a native of Ahvaz and resident of Shahinshahr, Isfahan, who was arrested on December 22, 2024, coinciding with public protests in the city, and was transferred to Dastgerd Prison.
The human rights organization has reported that during the initial days of detention, he was held in solitary confinement and subjected to severe physical and psychological torture and deprivation of water and food. Hengaw has also stated that Ben-Rashid was denied access to a lawyer of his choosing during legal proceedings.
According to the same report, he has lost both parents and was responsible for guardianship of his younger sister. If confirmed, these details also highlight the human and family dimensions of the case.
As of the publication of this report, no independent information was available regarding the judicial system’s official response to allegations of mistreatment during detention or details of Ben-Rashid’s defense. Likewise, reviewed sources did not provide clear information about the status of appeals against the death sentence or its final confirmation in higher judicial proceedings.
The issuance of a death sentence for a protest detainee once again draws the attention of human rights organizations to how judicial proceedings handle cases related to protests in Iran. “Moharebeh” is a serious criminal charge under Iranian law that can result in a death sentence; however, merely citing charges or issuing verdicts in a human rights organization’s report does not substitute for independent examination of evidence and legal proceedings.
In Elia Ben-Rashid’s case, reports regarding deprivation of access to a lawyer of his choosing and allegations of torture raise serious questions about respect for the defendant’s rights and his access to fair trial. Clarification of case details, access to the court ruling, and announcement of appellate proceedings status are important for a more accurate assessment.
Ben-Rashid now faces a death sentence, several years of imprisonment, and additional penalties. Human rights organizations and reporting news sources call for attention to the situation of protest detainees and respect for their legal rights; however, based on available information, the final status of his case and the fate of the death sentence remains unclear.
