ٍٍٍExecutions of Protesters Continue in Iran; Stop the Killings

An assessment of judicial procedures and received reports indicates that the state-sponsored suppression and arbitrary deprivation of life regarding protesters detained during the nationwide demonstrations of January 2026 have moved into detention centers and Revolutionary Courts. Contrary to the assumption that repression has subsided, evidence demonstrates the ongoing issuance and execution of death sentences through vague security charges and expedited judicial proceedings.

Section 1: Execution of Protesters in August 2026

During August 2026 alone (July 23 to August 23), 5 protesters detained during the January 2026 nationwide protests were executed by the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, two of whom were executed publicly in Isfahan.

Table of Executed Protesters:

Section 2: Ongoing Issuance of Death Sentences (16 Active Cases Verified in August)

Since the beginning of August 2026, in addition to those executed, it has been verified that at least 16 protesters detained during the January 2026 demonstrations are facing death sentences (either primary or final):

A) Sentences Confirmed by the Supreme Court:

1. Benyamin Naghdi (26, Shiraz): Kickboxing and Muay Thai champion, arrested Jan 3, 2026. Death sentence for “Corruption on Earth” confirmed by Branch 41 of the Supreme Court. Defense attorney stated the sole basis was “discharging a fire extinguisher toward police officers.”
2. Majid Nikandish (25, Mashhad): Arrested Jan 10, 2026, held in Vakilabad Prison. Sentenced to death by Branch 1 of Mashhad Revolutionary Court (Judge Gholamreza Akbari) for “Moharebeh.” Forced confessions extracted during detention; sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court.
3. Mehdi Zarif (Born July 20, 2004, Shandiz): Arrested Jan 10, 2026. Sentenced to death by Branch 5 of Mashhad Revolutionary Court (Judge Yazdankhah) for “destruction of public property.” Forced confessions extracted during interrogation; sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court.
4. Rasoul Rezaei (28, Fariman): Street vendor, father of two young children (ages 2 and 5), arrested Jan 9, 2026. Sentenced to death for “Moharebeh” by Mashhad Revolutionary Court, confirmed by the Supreme Court. Denied access to legal counsel of choice throughout detention and trial; family visitation and phone calls severely restricted or halted.

B) Sentences Issued and Pending Supreme Court Review:

1. Ahad Shokouhian (38, Pakdasht): Detained during January 2026 protests. Sentenced to death three times by Judge Iman Afshari in Branch 26 of Tehran Revolutionary Court (verdict disclosed July 23). Transferred from Khorin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, facing imminent execution risk.
2. Mehdi Nazer: Case of detained protester Mehdi Nazer has entered the Supreme Court review stage following a death sentence issued by Branch 15 of Tehran Revolutionary Court. Sentence issued by Judge Abolqasem Salavati charging “cooperation and assistance with the Zionist regime,” while informed sources emphasize, he merely participated in popular protests. Reports indicate forced confessions, denial of chosen counsel, and harassment of family. Father of two daughters; vehicle and phone confiscated.
3. Mahnaz Chardouli: Case of detained protester Mahnaz Chardouli has entered the Supreme Court review stage following a death sentence issued by Branch 15 of Tehran Revolutionary Court (co-defendant of Mehdi Nazer). Sentence issued by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, while informed sources emphasize, she merely participated in popular protests.

C) Primary Court Sentences Issued:

1. Mojtaba Dehbandi (23, Shiraz): Sentenced on July 23, 2026, by Branch 1 of Shiraz Revolutionary Court for “Moharebeh through setting fire to public places and burning a Quran, and acting against national security by sheltering protesters.” Held in Adelabad Prison.
2. Kianoush Hamzaei Kazerouni (27, Shiraz): Co-defendant of Mojtaba Dehbandi, sentenced on July 23, 2026, by Branch 1 of Shiraz Revolutionary Court under identical charges. Held in Adelabad Prison.
3. Mehnam Navab-Safavi (22, Isfahan): Rap artist, arrested Jan 10, 2026, in Isfahan. Sentenced to death by Branch 5 of Isfahan Revolutionary Court (Judge Hemmatinejad) for charges including Moharebeh through participation in destruction of public property, propaganda against the system, assembly and collusion, and inciting mutual killing. Informed sources state graffiti writing was cited as a primary charge. Held in Dastgerd Prison.
4. Seekan (Mehdi) Roshani (Ilam): Kurdish protester arrested Jan 6, 2026. Held in total incommunicado detention for 2 months and subjected to severe torture during interrogation. Sentenced to death by Ilam Revolutionary Court (Judge Feizi) for “Moharebeh” (including allegations of killing a SSF officer) based on torture-tainted confessions. Held in Ilam Prison.
5. Sepehr Amirzadeh (23, Born 2003, Isfahan): Medical student, arrested Jan 13, 2026, at home. Sentenced to death for “Moharebeh” by Revolutionary Court. Activity consisted of providing first aid and medical care to injured protesters. Held in Dastgerd Prison.
6. Mohsen Takesh (33, Dizecheh, Isfahan): Sentenced to death twice for “Moharebeh.” Family kept uninformed of location for 4 months; subjected to severe physical torture (including a broken arm during interrogation) to force confessions used as sole evidence.
7. Pourya Hosseini-Mofarad (23, Mashhad): Arrested Jan 14, 2026. Sentenced to death by Branch 5 of Mashhad Revolutionary Court (Judge Hossein Yazdankhah and Associate Judge Seyed Reza Javad-Mousavi). Stated acts restricted to “breaking bus stop glass and burning boxwood hedges.” Held in Vakilabad Prison.
8. Reza Omidvari (Yazd): Detained during 2026 protests. Sentenced to death under opaque judicial proceedings with unstated details, security pressure on family to prevent public disclosure, and denial of chosen legal counsel. Held in Yazd Prison.
9. Ali Pishevarzadeh (Rasht): Arrested Jan 8–9 in Rasht. Sentenced to death by Branch 2 of Rasht Revolutionary Court (Judge Mohammad Ali Darvish-Goftar) for “setting fire to public property.” Reports indicate severe torture; fellow inmates observed physical damage and continuous leg tremors in Lakan Prison clinic.

Section 3: Legal Analysis and Violations of International Law

1. Violation of Article 6, ICCPR (Arbitrary Deprivation of Life): Imposing death sentences for acts such as writing graffiti (Mehnam Navab-Safavi), discharging a fire extinguisher (Benyamin Naghdi), or damaging property like hedges and glass (Pourya Hosseini-Mofarad) explicitly violates the “most serious crimes” threshold under international law.
2. Violation of Article 14, ICCPR (Fair Trial Guarantees) and Article 7 (Prohibition of Torture): Published reports indicate confessions were extracted through torture and ill-treatment, including reported physical injuries in cases such as Mohsen Takesh, Ali Pishevarzadeh, and Seekan Roshani. Furthermore, denial of effective access to chosen defense legal counsel (e.g., Rasoul Rezaei and Mehdi Nazer) and restrictions on family communication constitute severe violations of fair trial standards.
3. Criminalization of Medical Humanitarian Aid: Sentencing medical student Sepehr Amirzadeh in connection with providing first aid to injured protesters violates fundamental human rights standards, access to medical care, and medical ethics (including healthcare neutrality).

Section 4: Urgent Action Required from the International Community

In light of ongoing reports concerning the issuance and execution of death sentences in protest-related cases, serious concerns exist regarding adherence to international human rights obligations, including the right to life and fair trial rights. Within this framework, the international community, United Nations, and human rights mechanisms should consider the following actions:

1. Linking International Cooperation to Human Rights Standards: States and international entities should emphasize adherence to human rights obligations—including an immediate halt to executions in contested cases and guarantee fair trial rights—within their political, economic, and diplomatic engagements.
2. Pursuing Accountability and International Prosecution: Where credible evidence of severe human rights violations or crimes under international law exists, available mechanisms—such as the principle of Universal Jurisdiction, independent investigations, and other international accountability tools—should be utilized.
3. Strengthening Independent International Monitoring: Facilitating unhindered, confidential access for UN Special Rapporteurs, fact-finding missions, and independent international bodies to detention facilities—specifically for private visits with prisoners facing execution—will enhance transparency and independent human rights evaluation.