HRANA – The Chief Justice of Semnan Province announced the execution of Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi, both arrested during the January 2026 protests in Shahrud County. At the same time, the Judiciary Media Center published a video containing the forced confessions of the two protesters. Iran’s judicial authorities had sentenced them to death on charges including moharebeh (“enmity against God”) and “spreading corruption on earth.” The sentences were ultimately carried out this morning.
According to HRANA, citing Mizan News Agency, the Chief Justice of Semnan Province announced that the death sentences of Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi were carried out at dawn today.
According to Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, the two men had been prosecuted in a case related to the January 2026 protests in Shahrud County. The judiciary of the Islamic Republic found them guilty of charges including “moharebeh through carrying a weapon,” “spreading corruption on earth,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” “disrupting public order and security,” and “destroying and setting fire to public and private property.”
The Chief Justice of Semnan Province claimed that the two individuals had participated in violent acts and the destruction of public property during the protests. He further stated that Branch One of the Shahrud Revolutionary Court had sentenced both defendants to death and ordered the confiscation of their assets.
According to the report, the verdict was upheld following an appeal by a branch of the Supreme Court, and was ultimately carried out today, June 16, 2026.
At the same time, the Judiciary Media Center released a video containing the forced confessions of the two protesters. In the video, which was recorded under unspecified circumstances before their execution, the two young protesters expressed remorse for their actions.
Judicial authorities have not released details regarding the exact date of their arrest, the legal proceedings, their access to a lawyer of their choosing, or the defense arguments presented on their behalf. Further information regarding the handling of the case and the evidence supporting the charges remains unavailable.
It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.
It is worth noting that a new report by Spreading Justice indicates that political and security-related executions in Iran have entered an unprecedented phase following the nationwide protests of January 2026. According to the report’s findings, at least 40 individuals were executed between March 19, 2026, and June 3, 2026, following proceedings described as lacking the standards of a fair trial. According to the report’s authors, this trend has been accompanied by the direct involvement of a number of judges as well as security and judicial institutions in the country.
