The death sentence handed down to Benjamin Nikdy, among those detained during the protests in December 2025 in Shiraz, has been confirmed by Branch 41 of Iran’s Supreme Court. At the same time, his lawyer said that an application for a retrial will be filed soon. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has also called for an immediate halt to the execution of this sentence.

According to Emtedad, the death sentence for Nikdy, which had previously been issued in Ordibehesht by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, was communicated to his lawyers on 7 Mordad.

Mustafa Nili, the lawyer of Benjamin Nikdy, said: “We will soon file a request for a retrial regarding this verdict, and given that no harm has been done to anyone, we hope that by accepting this request, the possibility of re-examining the case will be provided in a branch that is on par.”

Benjamin Nikdy, a 26-year-old athlete in kickboxing, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts, was arrested on 13 December 2025 during the Shiraz protests. One day after his arrest, government-linked media outlets published what they called his “confessions”; while reports indicate that these confessions were obtained under torture and pressure.