Amirsalar Davoudi charged and held in incommunicado detention for representing protesters facing the death penalty

On 9 November 2026, human rights defender and lawyer, Amirsalar Davoudi, was brought before the Public Prosecutor’s office in Isfahan and charged with, “spreading false information online with the intention of disturbing public opinion,” “inciting people to kill one another with the intention of disrupting national security” and “propaganda against the state.” Amirsalar Davoudi was arrested by security agents while trying to represent a detained protestor at the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan. Since his arrest, Amirsalar Davoudi has been held incommunicado, with his family and lawyer unable to establish his whereabouts or obtain information about his situation.

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Amirsalar Davoudi is a human rights defender and a member of the Human Rights Commission of the Iranian Bar Association. In his work as a human rights lawyer, he has represented many detained human rights defenders and political prisoners. The human rights defender is also the founder and director of a Telegram Channel, "Without Retouching," featuring a variety of critical content about the authorities’ treatment of lawyers in particular and more generally, the human rights situation in Iran.

On 2 November 2026, the human rights defender was transferred to hospital from solitary confinement in Isfahan prison, after suffering a heart attack. According to the organisation, Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI), the human rights defender has been denied access to medical treatment for the duration of his arbitrary detention, which began in mid October 2026.

On 30 October 2026, Amirsalar Davoudi's case was transferred from Branch 18 to Branch 11 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan and assigned to an investigating judge, against whom the human rights defender had previously filed a complaint. Amirsalar Davoudi and another lawyer had previously lodged a complaint on behalf of their clients, concerning allegations of torture and sexual abuse committed against detainees by the investigating judge. Reportedly, the same judge was assigned to investigate these complaints made against him, as well as the criminal case against Amirsalar Davoudi. This raises serious concerns regarding the independence and impartiality of the proceedings in relation to Amirsalar Davoudi’s case, and in relation to the handling of previous complaints.

On 13 October 2026, the Head of the Judiciary in Isfahan Province, publicly confirmed Amirsalar Davoudi's arrest and announced there are were ongoing investigations in relation to the charges of “spreading false information online with the intention of disturbing public opinion,” “inciting people to kill one another with the intention of disrupting national security” and “propaganda against the state.” Amendment 4 of the new espionage law stipulates that any propaganda activities that are considered hostile or undermining to Iran’s national security can be punished with up to 15 years in prison, and if the crime falls within the first amendment of the espionage law, the death penalty can be invoked. The head of the judiciary confirmed that Amirsalar Davoudi’s arrest occurred in relation to the publication of an audio recording of a marriage ceremony between two of his clients, one of whom was a 25-year-old Iranian protester who was executed on 5 October, in connection with the January 2026 protest in Isfahan. It was also claimed that the human rights defender had sent this recording to media outlets that have been described as hostile to the state. Amirsalar Davoudi has challenged the Head of the Judiciary to a live, uncensored debate concerning the execution of his client.

On 11 October 2026, Amirsalar Davoudi was arrested by security agents while attending the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan to follow up on his client’s case. Since his arrest, Amirsalar Davoudi has been held incommunicado, with his family and lawyer unable to establish his whereabouts or obtain information about his situation. The human rights defender’s lawyer visited the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan several times, seeking information about the human rights defender's legal proceedings and place of detention, but received no response. A representative of the Bar Association also approached the court to inquire as to Amirsalar Davoudi's detention, but received no information.

Front Line Defenders believes that the targeting of Amirsalar Davoudi is directly linked to his legitimate and peaceful work as a human rights defender and lawyer. The organisation is deeply concerned that the arbitrary arrest and isolated detention of Amirsalar Davoudi is directly related to his legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights, particularly his representation of detained protesters and his public criticism of unjust judicial proceedings and the use of the death penalty in Iran.

Front Line Defenders is particularly concerned for Amirsalar Davoudi’s physical and psychological integrity, given that his whereabouts remain unknown and he has been denied contact with his family. Additionally, the organisation remains concerned about potential infringements on his right to a fair trial.

Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Iran to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Amirsalar Davoudi;
2. Pending his release, immediately disclose his whereabouts and ensure that he is held in a recognised place of detention, granted regular access to medical care, family visits, legal representatives, and is protected from torture and other forms of ill-treatment;
3. Cease all forms of judicial harassment or reprisals against Amirsalar Davoudi in connection with his legitimate professional activities as a human rights defender and lawyer;
4. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Iran are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free from all restrictions, including judicial harassment.