Execution of Abduljalil Shahbakhsh, a Baloch political-ideological prisoner Based on forced confessions broadcast from him

On the morning of Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the media of the Islamic Republic of Iran reported the execution of the death sentence of "Abduljalil Shahbakhsh," a Baloch political-ideological prisoner, on charges of "Baghy (armed rebellion) through armed attacks on law enforcement headquarters and membership in the Ansar al-Furqan group." Simultaneously, state media released a portion of his forced confession video, which is only 16 seconds long; a video whose time, location, and recording conditions are completely unclear.

The "Mizan" News Agency, affiliated with the judiciary of the Islamic Republic, published this news claiming that "Abduljalil Shahbakhsh" had previously been sentenced to death in the Revolutionary Court on charges of "Baghy through armed attacks on law enforcement headquarters and membership in the rebel group Ansar al-Furqan," and this sentence was carried out after confirmation by the Supreme Court. While this judiciary news agency referred to the execution of this sentence based on a careful review of the case during court stages, it did not address any details of the trials, including the dates, court conditions, the presiding branch, details of the judicial process and court sessions, or the manner of access to a lawyer and self-defense.

According to the claims of the judiciary news agency, Abduljalil Shahbakhsh, known as "Shakib," was arrested in connection with "armed attacks on law enforcement headquarters" during the 2022 protests, and his death sentence was issued based on evidence including "communication devices, audio files, and his admissions during interrogation."

Following the publication of Mizan's claims, state media released a portion of his forced confession video; a short video for which no explanation regarding the time, location, or recording conditions was provided. This is while "Haalvsh," as one of the human rights organizations of Baluchistan, wrote that according to informed sources, these confessions were obtained under torture and during his interrogation.

The news of the arrest and the status of Abduljalil Shahbakhsh had not been previously publicized in the media. "Haalvsh" wrote in this regard, quoting one of his relatives, that the reason for not publicizing the situation of this Baloch prisoner until the time of execution was the pressures and promises made by security agencies to the tribe's elders and his relatives. According to sources, security agencies had informed the family and local influential individuals that if the case was not publicized, there was a possibility of canceling or halting the death sentence.

The execution of Abduljalil Shahbakhsh took place while state media made no mention of the location of the execution, precise details of the judicial process, or his access to an independent lawyer during the interrogation and trial stages. This is while in the judicial system of the Islamic Republic, political and ideological prisoners are practically deprived of access to a lawyer during the interrogation period, and forced confessions and evidence—which mostly include admissions obtained under torture—are extracted during this same interrogation period, in solitary cells, and under security pressure.

"Abduljalil Shahbakhsh," known as "Shakib," son of Jalal, was from the village of "Chah Ahmad" in the vicinity of the city of "Taftan" and was a Baloch citizen.

With the start of the military conflict between the United States and Israel with the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, 2026, the execution of death sentences in Iran had almost stopped, but they were resumed once again from March 18. According to reports, at least 25 political prisoners have been executed since then; including 14 protesters, 11 individuals attributed to opposition groups, and 5 people on charges of espionage.

Two images of "Abduljalil Shahbakhsh";

On the left, an image of him before his arrest, and on the right, an image of him in the released video of forced confessions.