HRANA – Over the past two weeks, Iranian authorities have sharply escalated the use of capital punishment in cases linked to the January 2026 protests and politically motivated or national security prosecutions. Death sentences have been issued, upheld, and carried out across multiple cities, signaling an intensification of the judiciary’s crackdown on protesters and other defendants facing political and security-related charges.
According to HRANA, over the past two weeks, judicial proceedings in a number of cases related to the January 2026 protests and other security-related cases have entered a new phase, marked by the issuance and implementation of death sentences, the commencement of trials, and growing concerns over the condition of detainees.
The cases reviewed by HRANA span Isfahan, Shahrud, Mashhad, Tehran, Shiraz, Mahallat, Karaj, and Tabriz. They are accompanied by persistent allegations of fair trial violations, including denial of effective access to legal counsel, forced confessions, court hearings held inside prisons or conducted remotely, and a lack of transparency regarding the evidence relied upon by the courts. HRANA’s findings indicate that at least seven prisoners in protest- and security-related cases were executed during this period.
This report examines the most prominent recent cases that have resulted in death sentences or executions, or in which defendants are facing charges such as “enmity against God” (moharebeh) and “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz). In cases where the available information is based solely on reports received by HRANA, the agency explicitly notes this and continues its independent investigation into the details of each case, including judicial proceedings, defendants’ access to legal counsel, and the evidence relied upon by the courts.
Several of these cases have drawn particular attention not only because of the number of defendants and the severity of the sentences, but also due to questions surrounding the judicial process. Reported concerns in some of these cases include restrictions on defense lawyers’ access to case files, court sessions held remotely or inside prisons, the failure to provide some families with the full text of court verdicts, and allegations that confessions were obtained under coercion.
Among these, the cases known as the “Alikhani Square” case and the “Isfahan Shohada Square” case have emerged as some of the most prominent during this period due to the harsh sentences imposed, the large number of defendants, and unresolved concerns regarding the judicial process. Meanwhile, the issuance of death sentences and the continuation of proceedings in similar cases in Shahrud, Mashhad, Shandiz, Shiraz, Mahallat, Tehran, and Malekan indicate that this pattern is not confined to a single city or a single case.
Below are the details of the cases for which HRANA has independently gathered and verified information, including the charges brought against the defendants, the course of judicial proceedings, and the status of the sentences from issuance through implementation.
Isfahan
The “Alikhani Square” Case: Death Sentences Issued and Carried Out Against Several Detainees
In this case, 59 individuals arrested during the January 2026 protests in Isfahan have been tried. According to information received by HRANA, 14 of them have been sentenced to death. HRANA has so far verified the identities of 12 of those sentenced to death.
The case was opened in connection with events that took place on January 8, 2026 in Alikhani Square in Isfahan, where the judiciary has alleged that police forces were attacked, public property was damaged, and violent acts were committed. The defendants face charges including “enmity against God” (moharebeh), destruction of public property, offenses related to attacks on law enforcement officers, and the killing of four members of the police force.
HRANA has verified the identities of the 12 defendants sentenced to death as Alireza Sepahi, Abolfazl Sepahi, Erfan Esfandiari, Gol Mohammad Mohammadi, Ghaem Hosseini, Sharvin Bagherian, Amirhossein Safari, Amirhossein Maleki, Ali Dashti, Abolfazl Ebrahimi, Alireza Raeisi, and Amirhossein Ebrahimi Analoucheh.
In the early hours of July 19, the death sentences of Erfan Esfandiari and Gol Mohammad Mohammadi were carried out. Subsequently, the transfer of Alireza Sepahi and Abolfazl Sepahi to solitary confinement has heightened concerns that the death sentences of the remaining condemned prisoners in this case may soon be implemented.
The handling of this case has raised serious concerns regarding compliance with fair trial standards. According to information received by HRANA, court hearings were conducted via video conference, and lawyers and the families of some defendants were denied access to the complete case files and the full text of the court’s verdicts. Additionally, some defendants were reportedly subjected to pressure and torture during interrogations in order to compel them to admit to the charges against them.
The “Shohada Square” Case
This case stems from the January 2026 protests in Isfahan and involves 16 defendants currently facing judicial proceedings. It relates to incidents that occurred in the vicinity of Shohada Square in Isfahan, near several shoe stores, during which two individuals were killed.
The charges brought against most of the defendants include “enmity against God” (moharebeh) through carrying bladed weapons, destruction of public property amounting to moharebeh, assembly and collusion, and propaganda against the state. Two of the defendants are charged with complicity in moharebeh and complicity in the destruction of public property.
HRANA has verified the identities of 12 of the defendants: Ahmadreza Saeedi, Navid Elyasi, Abolfazl Dadgostar, Mehdi Mansouri, Hamed Mehralian, Mehdi Asadi, Milad Booari, Mehrdad Booari, Ali Booari, Taraneh Rahimi, Romina Rahimi, and Setayesh Saedi.
The handling of this case has also raised concerns regarding judicial procedure. Although the case was formally registered with Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, the defendants’ charges have been adjudicated by judges from Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in the same city. Hearings have been held inside Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan before Judge Morteza Barati and Judge Mohammadreza Tavakkoli, with a representative of the prosecutor’s office also present.
The defendants are being held in Dastgerd and Dowlatabad Prisons in Isfahan. Their defense lawyers have stated that they were not granted full access to the case files prior to the hearings. Additionally, some defendants were reportedly subjected to torture during interrogations.
It is also noteworthy that the indictment issued against these defendants does not contain any specific charge related to the killing of the two individuals who died during the Shohada Square incidents. According to information received by HRANA, no evidence has been presented demonstrating the defendants’ direct involvement in those deaths.
Execution of the Death Sentence of Mohammad Amini Dehaghani
The case of Mohammad Amini Dehaqani is related to the January 2026 protests in Dehaqan County, Isfahan Province. According to the judiciary’s media outlet, he was sentenced to death on charges of “setting fire to the Dehaqan governor’s office and police station by throwing Molotov cocktails” and “destroying public property in Imam Hossein Square” in the city. His death sentence was carried out on July 15, 2026, at Isfahan Prison.
According to publicly available information, the execution was carried out following judicial proceedings and the confirmation of the final verdict by the Supreme Court. HRANA has not yet been able to independently verify the details of the case, the judicial process, the evidence relied upon by the court, or the defendant’s legal defense. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.
Death Sentence Issued for Mahnam Navab Safavi
The case of Mahnam Navab Safavi, a 22-year-old rapper from Isfahan, is related to the nationwide protests of 2026. He was arrested on January 10, 2026, and was subsequently sentenced to death by Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.
The charges brought against him include “enmity against God” (moharebeh) through the destruction of public property in the Sheikh Sadough area of Isfahan, “propaganda against the state,” “assembly and collusion,” “encouraging people to kill one another,” and “writing slogans.”
According to information received by HRANA, he is currently being held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. HRANA has also received information indicating that he was subjected to forced confessions during his detention and that his trial was conducted remotely. HRANA is continuing to investigate the details of the case, the judicial proceedings, the defendant’s access to legal counsel, and the evidence relied upon by the court.
Kermanshah
Execution of the Death Sentences of Two Defendants Convicted of “Armed Rebellion”
This case dates back to 2017 and concerns allegations of membership in an armed group and activities against the Islamic Republic. The judiciary’s media outlet claimed that Mohi al-Din Abdollahi and Hossein Palani were “members of a group affiliated with ISIS” who intended to carry out armed operations inside Iran. According to this claim, following court proceedings, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced both men to death on the charge of “armed rebellion against the Islamic Republic of Iran” (baghi).
After the Supreme Court upheld the verdicts, the death sentences of the two prisoners were carried out in the early hours of July 14, 2026, at Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah.
The judiciary’s media outlet stated that, following the completion of the investigation and the issuance of the indictment, the case was referred to the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which ultimately issued the death sentences.
Soroush Karami Remains in Judicial Limbo on the Charge of “Enmity Against God”
The case of Soroush Karami, a resident of Kermanshah, is related to the January 2026 protests in Kermanshah. He was arrested during the protests on January 8, 2026, and has been charged with “enmity against God” (moharebeh). His case is currently under review by Branch 16 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Kermanshah.
He was transferred from a security detention facility to Kermanshah Central Prison (Dizelabad) and is currently being held in solitary confinement in the prison’s security ward.
Soroush Karami has been denied access to legal counsel since the time of his arrest.
Karaj
Execution of Aref Khoshkar
The case of Aref Khoshkar was related to the nationwide protests of 2022 in Tehran. He was arrested during protests in the Fallah neighborhood and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on charges including “enmity against God through carrying and using a weapon,” “the killing of a member of the Basij,” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”
Aref Khoshkar’s death sentence was carried out on July 15, 2026, at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, after his family’s efforts to halt the execution and a meeting aimed at obtaining the victim’s family’s consent proved unsuccessful.
According to information received by HRANA, Aref Khoshkar’s lawyer had previously pointed to ambiguities in the case, stating that there were no surveillance cameras at the site of the killing and that there was insufficient evidence linking the charges to his client.
Execution of Mehdi Khanki
The case of Mehdi Khanki, age 26, was related to the January 2026 protests in Karaj. According to the Judiciary Media Center, he had been sentenced to death on charges including “operational activities in support of Israel, the United States, and hostile groups” and “manufacturing, procuring, and possessing firearms and military ammunition, and using them.”
He was arrested by security forces at his residence in Karaj on February 10, 2026. After the Supreme Court upheld his sentence, he was executed on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.
According to the judiciary, the case was heard by a branch of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, which issued the death sentence. HRANA has not yet been able to independently examine the details of the case, the evidence relied upon by the court, or the judicial proceedings. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Shahrud: Death Sentence Issued for Arvin Kheirkhahan
The case of Arvin Kheirkhahan, aged approximately 20, is related to the January 2026 protests in Shahrud. He was arrested during the protests and is currently being held in Shahrud Prison.
He has been sentenced to death on charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh) and “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz). His case has now been referred to the Supreme Court for review. To date, no detailed information has been made public regarding the branch handling the case, his access to legal counsel, or the details of the judicial proceedings.
Mashhad: Majid Nikandish Sentenced to Death
The case of Majid Nikandish, a 25-year-old resident of Quchan, is related to the January 2026 protests in Mashhad. He was arrested during the protests and is currently being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.
He was tried by Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Gholamreza Akbari, and sentenced to death on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh). According to information received by HRANA, he remains detained in Vakilabad Prison. HRANA has also received information indicating that he was subjected to forced confessions during his detention. The organization is continuing to investigate the details of the case, the judicial proceedings, and other aspects of his prosecution.
Shandiz: Mehdi Zarif Sentenced to Death
The case of Mehdi Zarif, aged 22, is related to the January 2026 protests in Shandiz. He was arrested in Shandiz on January 10, 2026.
He has been sentenced to death on charges including the destruction of public property. His death sentence has been upheld by the Supreme Court. According to information received by HRANA, he was subjected to forced confessions during interrogation.
Tehran: Mohammadreza Abdollahpour
The case of Mohammadreza Abdollahpour, one of those arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests, involves charges including “espionage” and the killing of a police officer during the January 9, 2026 protests in Tehran’s Saadat Abad district.
Following his arrest, he has spent more than five months in detention and remains held at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj without a verdict having been issued.
According to information received by HRANA, court hearings in his case were held in April–May 2026, but no judgment has yet been issued. A source close to his family also stated that he has been denied access to a lawyer of his own choosing.
At present, little additional information is available regarding the judicial proceedings in this case. It is only known that Mohammadreza Abdollahpour’s trial sessions have been held, but no verdict has yet been issued.
The following cases are based on information that is still under review. HRANA is currently verifying the details of these cases, including the judicial proceedings, the legal status of the defendants, and other relevant aspects.
Shahrud: Protester Morteza Zamani Sentenced to Death
The case of Morteza Zamani, a 27-year-old resident of Shahrud, is related to the January 2026 protests in the city. He was arrested on January 8, 2026, during protests on Istgah Street in Shahrud and was subsequently transferred to Shahrud Prison.
Morteza Zamani has been sentenced to death on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh) through the destruction and arson of public property.
No detailed information is currently available regarding the specifics of the case, the judicial proceedings, or his access to legal counsel. HRANA’s investigation into these matters is ongoing.
Shiraz: Two Citizens Sentenced to Death in Connection with the January Protests
The case of two citizens in Shiraz is related to the January 2026 protests. In this case, both defendants were sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court.
The charges brought against them include “enmity against God” (moharebeh) through setting fire to public places and burning a Quran, as well as “acting against national security by sheltering protesters.” Their death sentences were issued more than two months ago.
The two defendants have been identified as 23-year-old Mojtaba Dehbandi and 27-year-old Kianoush Hamzehei Kazerouni. Following their arrest, they were transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.
The death sentences were issued at the trial court level and are not yet final. HRANA’s investigation into the details of the judicial proceedings, the defendants’ access to legal counsel, and the evidence relied upon by the court is ongoing.
Malekan: Ehsan Khodadadi
The case of Ehsan Khodadadi, a 32-year-old resident of Malekan, has been under investigation since June 2025 in connection with national security charges. The central allegations in the case involve claims that he sent the location of an Iranian Air Force facility in Tabriz, attempted to establish contact with Mossad, and transmitted information to the Iran International television network.
Ehsan Khodadadi has now been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Reza Abdi. He was convicted on charges of “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz) through espionage for the benefit of the Israeli regime, “security, cultural, media, and propaganda activities for Israel,” “cooperation with hostile states,” “propaganda against the state,” and “cooperation through providing information to media outlets opposed to the regime.”
He is currently being held in Tabriz Prison. Reports have alleged that Ehsan Khodadadi was subjected to pressure, torture, and forced confessions during interrogation. HRANA has not been able to independently verify these claims. HRANA’s investigation into the details of the case, the judicial proceedings, the defendant’s access to legal counsel, and the evidence relied upon by the court is ongoing.
Tehran: Two Defendants Sentenced to Death in Connection with the January 2026 Protests
The case of three individuals arrested during the January 2026 protests in Tehran has resulted in severe sentences, including two death penalties. They were arrested on January 11, 2026, and their case was subsequently heard by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.
The charges brought against the defendants include “attacking a mosque with Molotov cocktails,” “participation in unlawful gatherings,” and “assembly and collusion.”
The defendants have been identified as Mehdi Nazer, Mahnaz Chardouli, and Atefeh Nazer. Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli were each sentenced to death and 10 years’ imprisonment, while Atefeh Nazer was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Lordegan: Ali Rahimi-Rigi Faces Political and Security Charges
The case of Ali Rahimi-Rigi, a 31-year-old detainee arrested during the January 2026 protests, stems from events related to those protests. He faces a range of charges, including “enmity against God” (moharebeh), “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz), possession and carrying of firearms and ammunition, destruction of property, unlawful assembly, propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion against national security, brandishing a weapon, and disrupting public order. He is currently being held in Lordegan Prison.
No detailed information has been made public regarding the branch handling his case, his access to legal counsel, or the evidence relied upon by the court. HRANA’s investigation into the details of the judicial proceedings is ongoing.
Mahallat: Five Protest Detainees Sentenced to Death
Five individuals arrested during the January 2026 protests in Mahallat, Markazi Province, have been sentenced to death by a judicial authority on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh). Their death sentences were issued at the trial court level and are not yet final.
The defendants have been identified as Erfan Khalili, Ali Akbar Mahlouji, Hessam Isaei, Hossein Shokouhi, and Abolghasem Kazem Aslani. They are currently being held in Arak Prison.
HRANA’s investigation into the judicial proceedings, the defendants’ access to legal counsel, and the evidence relied upon by the court is ongoing.
Arak: 18-Year-Old Mahan Rahmati Faces Charge of “Enmity Against God”
The case of Mahan Rahmati, a resident of Arak born in January 2008, is related to the January 2026 protests. He has been charged with “enmity against God” (moharebeh), an offense that may carry the death penalty. He remains in detention, and recent information has heightened concerns regarding both the judicial proceedings in his case and the conditions of his detention.
No detailed information has been made public regarding the branch handling his case, his access to legal counsel, or the evidence relied upon by the court. HRANA’s investigation into the details of the judicial process is ongoing.
Overall, during the past two weeks, at least 50 individuals arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests have either been executed, sentenced to death, had their death sentences upheld, or faced charges such as “enmity against God” (moharebeh) and “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz), offenses that can carry the death penalty. The cases of a number of these individuals remain under investigation or judicial review, and complete information regarding the legal proceedings and court rulings is not yet available.
Background: The January 2026 Protests
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.
