ALERTE 10/12/2025
ALERTE 15/03/2024
Iran: Suspicious death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi and disappearance of surveillance video recordings
10 December 2025
The OIAD is deeply concerned and appalled by the suspicious death of Mr. Khosrow Alikordi, whose body was found in his office in Mashhad on 6 December 2025.
According to Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) and the Committee for the Support of Human Rights in Iran (CSDHI), the lawyer’s body showed signs of bruising, head trauma and blood around the nose and mouth, which are inconsistent with the official version citing a “heart attack”.
The sixteen surveillance cameras in the office were seized by the security forces, and the lawyer’s family was denied access to the recordings.
45-year-old Mr Alikordi was the lawyer for the family of Abolfazl Adinehzadeh, a 16-year-old teenager killed during the 2022 protests. He had already been arrested and sentenced to one year in prison, as well as additional restrictive measures, for carrying out his professional activities.
His involvement with the ”Woman, Life, Freedom” movement protesters and numerous political prisoners had made him a target of the authorities. The Observatory stresses that Mr. Alikordi also represented several other justice-seeking families linked to the movement, including those of Fatemeh Sepehri and Erfan Rezaei, further exposing him to pressure and reprisals.
Before his death, Mr. Alikordi had formally alerted the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission, reporting repeated threats and requesting urgent protection as a lawyer at risk. His warnings now take on a tragic significance.
Several activists, lawyers and political prisoners have described his death as a “state assassination”. Lawyer Javad Alikordi (Mr Alikordi’s brother) was summoned by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad only four days after the burial, therefore illustrating the continuing pressure exerted on lawyers and their families.
Mr Alikordi’s death occurs amid increased repression of lawyers and human rights activists in Iran. This repression was denounced on International Day for Lawyers in Danger, 24 January 2024.
On 9 December 2025, the U.S. Department of State also characterised his death as suspicious and condemned the conduct of the Iranian authorities, adding to growing international concern.
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute recently published a report (endorsed by the OIAD) which addresses the ongoing risks faced by Iranian lawyers, including those exemplified by this case.
In view of the total lack of transparency, the confiscation of evidence and the contradictions in the authorities’ statements, the Observatory demands the full and immediate return of the surveillance video recordings to Mr Alikordi’s family.
The Observatory expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Mr Khosrow Alikordi and to his colleagues.
The Observatory warns the Iranian authorities that any pressure or abusive procedures targeting lawyer Javad Alikordi will not be tolerated and will be subject to particular international attention.
The Observatory fully supports the resolution adopted by the Paris Bar Council on the basis of the information shared by civil society actors, reflecting the legal community’s mobilisation in France and abroad.
The Observatory calls for an independent international investigation to determine the circumstances of the lawyer’s death and to put an end to the reprisals against Iranian lawyers.
The Observatory reminds the Iranian authorities of their duty to comply with international standards, in particular the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
The Observatory will continue to closely monitor the situation and reaffirms its full support for the family of Mr Alikordi and all Iranian lawyers who are threatened for carrying out their defence work.
Iran: Kurdish lawyer Khosrow Alikordi sentenced by the Islamic Republic of Iran
The First Section of the Revolutionary Court has sentenced Khosrow Alikordi to one year’s imprisonment, two years’ exile, a two-year travel ban, a two-year ban on practising as a lawyer, and a two-year ban on appearing on the Internet.
Khosrow Alikordi is the lawyer for the family of Abolfazl Adiehzadeh, who was killed by the security forces at the age of 16 during national protests in October 2022. Since his death, his family has been under constant pressure from the Iranian government. In June 2023, his father and sister were charged with “anti-government propaganda” for denouncing the teenager’s death. Mr Alikordi was subsequently arrested in August 2023, before being released on bail 4 days later.
Alikordi has defended a number of political prisoners and their relatives, which has exposed him to a great deal of pressure from the Iranian government authorities. In addition, the third section of the Mashhad criminal court fined him 21 million Iranian rials (€45 360) for “defamation”.
Khosrow Alikordi is one of a number of lawyers, doctors and activists who have signed a joint letter calling on the Islamic Republic of Iran to release a doctor who has been imprisoned for treating demonstrators.
The Observatory strongly condemns the pressure exerted by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Mr Alikordi and his clients.
The Observatory strongly condemns the repeated condemnations of defenders of the rights of political prisoners in Iran.
The Observatory urges the Iranian authorities to put an end to the harassment of Mr Alikordi.
The Observatory recalls that, in accordance with the basic principles of the United Nations relating to the role of the Bar, in particular principles 16, 18, 23 and 27 :
Principle 16: “Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference;”
Principle 18: “Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.”
Principle 23: “Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization.”
Principle 27: “Charges or complaints made against lawyers in their professional capacity shall be processed expeditiously and fairly under appropriate procedures. Lawyers shall have the right to a fair hearing, including the right to be assisted by a lawyer of their choice.”
