The authorities had detained Ghobadlou during the crackdown on protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022. Ghobadlou received his death sentence in November of the same year.

Amnesty International has raised concerns about the prosecution and treatment of Ghobadlou in prison, stating that there is information indicating he was subjected to repeated beatings and forced confessions.

The news of the execution has shocked international observers. Clara Bunger, a member of Germany's parliament, expressed her dismay, especially considering that a court had agreed to review Ghobadlou's case just months ago.

Bunger emphasized the need for Germany to call on Iran to halt such executions and release political prisoners currently held in the country. She asserted that these executions and trials are unlawful, and political prisoners deserve fair treatment within a legal system that upholds the rule of law—a standard she believes is currently lacking in Iran.

"I think it's definitely the right thing to do to call on the Islamic Republic to end the executions because they are unlawful executions," Bunger stated. "They are unlawful trials that are taking place, and those people who are political prisoners should be freed and should receive a fair trial in a system where the rule of law is the base for decisions, and this is not the case." The controversial execution of Mohammad Ghobadlou raises broader questions about human rights and the legal processes in Iran, prompting international voices to call for a reevaluation of such practices.