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Rights Groups Report Iran’s First Protest-Related Execution Set for Wednesday

Reports identify 26-year-old Erfan Soltani as sentenced after a rapid, opaque process that denied him legal counsel.

Overview

  • Iran Human Rights and Hengaw say Soltani was arrested on January 8 in Fardis, Karaj, and charged with “waging war against God,” a capital offense under Iranian law.
  • His family was reportedly told on January 11 that the death sentence would be carried out on January 14, and they were allowed a brief 10-minute visit.
  • Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the execution order, and a nationwide communications blackout is hindering independent verification.
  • The U.S. State Department says more than 10,600 people have been arrested over the protests and cites reports that Soltani’s execution is scheduled for Wednesday.
  • UN human rights chief Volker Turk condemned lethal force against demonstrators, as Tasnim reported the judiciary’s first protest indictments with serious moharebeh cases to be prioritized.