The death sentences of Naser Bakrzadeh, a Kurdish political prisoner, and Yaghoub Karimpour, a citizen from Miandoab, were secretly carried out in Urmia Central Prison.
According to Kolbarnews on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Naser Bakrzadeh, 26 years old, and Yaghoub Karimpour, who had previously been sentenced to death on charges of “spying for Israel,” were executed in Urmia Central Prison.
The state-affiliated Mehr News Agency has also confirmed the implementation of these sentences.
These two prisoners had been removed from their wards on Thursday, April 30, under strict security measures and transferred to solitary confinement under pretexts such as “transfer to forensic medicine” and “meeting with officials responsible for the implementation of sentences.” At the same time, reports had emerged regarding the increasing likelihood of the imminent implementation of their sentences.
Naser Bakrzadeh, a Kurdish political prisoner from Urmia, had been sentenced to death by Branch Two of the Revolutionary Court on charges of “spying for Israel.” His sentence had been confirmed several times by the Supreme Court in a rapid process within a short period and had been officially communicated to him on April 25. Reports indicate that during his detention in the “Al-Mahdi” detention center, he had been subjected to pressure and torture in order to extract confessions.
Yaghoub Karimpour, a graduate in public law, a Turkish citizen, and a follower of the Yarsan faith, had been arrested during the conflicts related to the war between Iran and Israel. He had been sentenced to death by Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on charges of “corruption on earth” through “spying for Israel,” and his sentence had also been confirmed by the Supreme Court. During interrogations, security forces had also arrested his wife, “Saboura Lotfi,” in order to exert pressure on him.
The implementation of these sentences has taken place under circumstances in which reports indicate the existence of serious ambiguities in the judicial process and in the accusations brought against these two prisoners, while allegations of confessions obtained under pressure have also been raised.
At the same time, concerns have increased regarding the condition of Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, who was transferred to an unknown location simultaneously with these two prisoners, and there are fears that he too may be at risk of execution.