Hamed Validi and Nima Shahi executed after months of allegations, torture claims, and accusations widely challenged by opposition sources
In the early hours of Monday, April 20, the Iran regime carried out the execution of two political prisoners, Hamed Validi and Nima Shahi, in a case marked by disputed charges, allegations of torture, and significant controversy over judicial procedures.
The two men, identified by opposition sources as members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), had been sentenced to death in October 2025.
Arrest and Allegations
Hamed Validi, a 45-year-old civil engineer, and Nima Shahi, a 38-year-old technical worker, were arrested on May 13, 2025, in Tehran along with several of their relatives. Reports indicate that both men were subjected to interrogation and torture following their detention.
Iran regime-affiliated judicial media claimed that the two had been involved in constructing and transporting explosive projectiles and that weapons and related materials were discovered in locations tied to them, including residences in Karaj and Isfahan.
However, these claims have been strongly disputed by opposition groups, who argue that the charges were fabricated and politically motivated.
NCRI: Timeline and Contradictions
According to a statement issued on September 27, 2025, by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the names of Hamed Validi and Nima Shahi were submitted to the United Nations and human rights organizations in May 2025—one month before the so-called “12-day war” cited later in the charges.
The NCRI emphasized that news of their arrest was publicly announced on Simay Azadi television on September 7, 2025, further reinforcing that their detention predated the events used to justify espionage accusations.
In late September 2025, following international demonstrations and heightened scrutiny, the Iran regime’s judiciary accused four people of links to both the PMOI and Mossad, sentencing two—including Validi and Shahi—to death and others to long prison terms.
A senior judiciary official in Alborz Province described the case as involving an “espionage network,” though critics pointed to inconsistencies and lack of transparency. The NCRI characterized the proceedings as a “fraudulent show” and a “kangaroo court,” rejecting any alleged connection between the accused and foreign intelligence services.
Social Media Appeals, No Official Intervention
In the hours leading up to the executions, concerned Iranians widely circulated urgent appeals on social media, calling on international bodies—including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran—to intervene.
Broader Implications
The execution of Hamed Validi and Nima Shahi is likely to intensify concerns over the Iran regime’s use of capital punishment, particularly in politically sensitive cases. Critics argue that the case reflects a broader pattern of using severe judicial measures against perceived opposition, often accompanied by contested evidence and limited transparency.
As reactions continue to emerge, the case raises renewed questions about due process, the credibility of politically charged prosecutions, and the role of international oversight in preventing such outcomes.
