Dariush Rafiee Taghanki was arrested on April 30, 2026, after four months in hiding in Orumiyeh, Iran. He is a former political prisoner and a member of the Qashqai Turk community. His arrest came during a raid by government forces.
Taghanki’s apprehension coincided with the execution of Nasser Bakerzadeh and Yaghoub Karimpour on May 2, 2026. Both men faced severe human rights violations, as their families and lawyers were not notified prior to the executions.
Key facts about the executed men:
- Bakerzadeh had his death sentence overturned twice by the Supreme Court.
- Karimpour endured intense pressure to produce forced confessions during his trial.
- Both men were placed in solitary confinement before their executions.
The Iranian judiciary has faced criticism for its treatment of political prisoners. Authorities have not disclosed any information regarding Taghanki’s charges or his place of detention. This lack of transparency raises concerns about the treatment he may face while incarcerated.
The circumstances surrounding Bakerzadeh’s execution are particularly striking, as he had been fighting against his death sentence for years. Meanwhile, Karimpour described spending more than two months at the Ministry of Intelligence detention center under inhumane conditions.
Karimpour categorically denied transmitting any information to any person or institution, highlighting the dubious nature of the espionage charges against him. As these events unfold, many are left questioning the integrity of Iran’s legal system and its commitment to human rights.
