Khalil Rasouli, a Kurdish citizen from Bojnord and one of the injured detainees of the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to eight years of discretionary imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two years of internal exile.
According to Kolbarnews, Khalil Rasouli was tried in April 2026 in a branch of the Revolutionary Court of Bojnord in proceedings that, according to informed sources, did not meet the standards of a fair trial. Without access to legal counsel, he was convicted on charges including “incitement to unrest,” “propaganda against the system,” and “destruction of public property,” and sentenced to eight years of discretionary imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two years of exile to the city of Khash in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
According to obtained information, despite suffering severe injuries caused by gunshot wounds, this political prisoner is serving his sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Judicial authorities have reportedly refused to apply Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code (aggregation of sentences) in his case. Under this provision, only the most severe sentence “six years of imprisonment” should be enforceable. However, the family of the prisoner has reportedly been informed that he will be required to serve all of the sentences imposed upon him.
Khalil Rasouli was seriously injured in the leg on January 8, 2026, during public protests in the city of Bojnord after being struck by two bullets fired directly from a handgun by government forces. Several hours after being wounded, while receiving care at his family home, he was arrested by security forces and transferred to Bojnord Prison.
Following the finalization of his sentence, Khalil Rasouli was transferred into exile to Mashhad Central Prison on May 2, 2026. During his detention and imprisonment, he has reportedly been denied access to specialized medical treatment and the possibility of undergoing surgery outside the prison. Informed sources have described his physical condition as concerning due to infection, severe pain, and the continued effects of bullet wounds remaining in his leg.
