IRAN: Arbitrary detention of lawyer and human rights defender Abolfazl Ranjbari
10 December, 2025
The International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (OIAD) expresses its deep concern over the arbitrary detention of lawyer, human rights defender, and university professor Dr Abolfazl Ranjbari, a member of the East Azerbaijan Bar Association in Iran. His ongoing detention represents a grave violation of international human rights norms and an alarming escalation of repression against independent legal professionals in the country.
Dr Ranjbari has been deprived of his liberty since early May 2025, when he was arrested by security forces near his home in Tabriz. Since then, he has been held in quarantine at Tabriz Central Prison without due process including: effective access to legal assistance, regular communication with his family, or adequate access to the essential medication and medical treatment he requires, in violation of his fundamental rights.
These conditions constitute clear violations of Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which it is a State Party.
A respected university professor and lawyer with over three decades of experience, Dr Ranjbari is well known for defending political activists, prisoners of conscience, and members of minority communities in East Azerbaijan Province.
Dr Ranjbari currently faces the charge of “abetting corruption on earth,” a capital offence, before Section 3 of the Revolutionary Court in Tabriz. Available information indicates that the accusation stems from his participation seven years ago in an academic conference held in Baku, at which he presented a critical analysis of the Iranian judicial system, an activity squarely protected by academic freedom and international human rights law.
The Observatory notes with alarm that the charge is unfounded and disproportionate, and appears intended to punish the exercise of free expression. The OIAD recalls Article 23 of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (Havana Principles), which affirms that “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.”
Initially, the charge recorded in his case was “propaganda against the state.” This was later replaced with an indictment for espionage. Dr Ranjbari’s situation was further aggravated by amendments to Iran’s espionage legislation adopted in June 2025, which significantly broadened the definition of espionage and introduced harsher penalties. The new provisions allow for the death penalty in certain cases involving alleged collaboration with states deemed “hostile,” and impose prison sentences of up to 15 years for “propaganda” activities considered harmful to national security.
However, during the second court hearing, the espionage charge was changed yet again, this time to “abetting corruption on earth.” Dr Ranjbari’s lawyers objected, noting that the new charge had not been formally communicated to them, leaving them unprepared to present a defence. A new hearing is scheduled, at which he is expected to be tried on this charge.
The Observatory considers that the arrest and prosecution of Dr Abolfazl Ranjbari constitute direct reprisals for his peaceful work as a lawyer, academic, and human rights defender, and form part of a broader pattern of harassment and criminalisation of independent lawyers in Iran, particularly those who represent political activists, minorities, and individuals detained in connection with protests[1].
The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of Dr Ranjbari and the disproportionate, unfounded charges brought against him.
The Observatory calls on the Iranian authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release Dr Abolfazl Ranjbari and to drop all charges against him.
- Guarantee, while he remains in custody, his physical and psychological integrity, immediate and confidential access to a lawyer of his choice, regular communication with his family, and uninterrupted Access to necessary medication and medical treatment.
- Ensure that any legal proceedings strictly comply with the right to a fair trial before an independent and impartial tribunal and uphold the presumption of innocence.
- End the intimidation, criminalisation, and persecution of independent lawyers and human rights defenders in Iran, and guarantee that they can carry out their professional duties without hindrance, threats or reprisals.
- Allow international human rights mechanisms, including UN Special Rapporteurs, to request information, conduct monitoring, and intervene where necessary.
The Observatory calls on the international community to:
- Urge Iranian authorities to comply with international law obligations.
- Monitor the case closely and raise it in bilateral and multilateral human rights dialogues.
- Support the protection of lawyers, academics, and human rights defenders facing reprisals in Iran.
[1] For more information, see the OIAD campaign on International Day of Endangered Lawyer 2024 focused on Iran.: https://protect-lawyers.org/2024-iran/
