Mahmoud Mehrabi pursued his education in electrical engineering in his hometown of Isfahan. After completing his studies, he took up a job with the municipality in Mobarakeh, a nearby city also located in the Isfahan province. Seeking further education, Mahmoud decided to advance his knowledge by enrolling in a Master’s program in Vienna, Austria. However, after spending just one month in Vienna, he realized that he preferred to continue his career in his home country. Consequently, he returned to Iran to stay and work, committing himself to contributing to his community and professional field back in Isfahan.
Mahmoud Mehrabi worked as a clerk in the municipality. His career took a dramatic turn when he was arrested by the Islamic Republic’s police. The authorities charged him with blasphemy and the dissemination of false information. As a result, Mehrabi was sentenced to 10 years in prison. This harsh punishment was handed down because he had exposed economic corruption among the members of the City Council of Mobarakeh. By bringing these issues to light, Mehrabi aimed to fight against corruption and promote transparency, but instead, he found himself facing severe legal consequences.
Although Mahmoud Mehrabi was eventually cleared of his initial conviction, he faced a new charge, “spreading corruption on earth,” a serious offense under Iranian law. Consequently, he lost his job with the municipality of Mobarakeh. Despite this setback, Mehrabi continued his fight against corruption by working independently.
After being dismissed from his state job, he became more active in his personal endeavors. When the Woman, Life, Freedom movement began, which advocated for greater rights and freedoms, Mahmoud seized the opportunity to further his cause. He used his personal Instagram page to expose ongoing economic corruption within the municipality of Mobarakeh. Through his social media posts, Mehrabi aimed to raise awareness and mobilize public opinion against the injustices he had witnessed.
Mahmoud Mehrabi was arrested once more, and this time the consequences were even more severe. He was charged with “corruption on the earth” by Judge Vahid Hemmatinejad in Isfahan. This charge led to a conviction carrying the death penalty. Mehrabi faced this harsh sentence because of his writings and activities on social media, where he openly criticized the Islamic Republic of Iran. His efforts to expose corruption and advocate for justice ultimately resulted in the most extreme punishment under Iranian law.
Currently, Mahmoud Mehrabi is imprisoned in Isfahan Central Prison, facing the imminent threat of execution. His life is at risk because his sentence could be carried out at any time. In response to this dire situation, a growing number of people are rallying for his cause on social media. Supporters are using hashtags with his name, Mahmoud Mehrabi, to raise awareness and advocate for his release. This online movement aims to draw international attention to his case and pressure authorities to reconsider his execution.
Mehrshad Kalini, an Iranian physician, was also arrested by the police of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He was protesting against the death penalty by holding a placard with the names of Mahmoud Mehrabi and Khosrow Besharat, another political prisoner sentenced to death. Kalini’s protest was a clear statement against the use of capital punishment. Since his arrest, his whereabouts remain unknown, causing widespread concern. People are expressing their worries by using hashtags with his name alongside Mahmoud Mehrabi’s name on social media.
