Overview
- Hengaw and Iran Human Rights report that Erfan Soltani, arrested on January 8 in Fardis/Karaj, is scheduled to be executed by hanging on January 14 in what could be the first execution tied to the current protests.
- Sources close to the family say Soltani was denied a lawyer, received no visible trial, and was allowed only a brief 10‑minute visit, with some reports stating he is accused of “waging war against God.”
- Independent verification remains constrained by an ongoing internet and phone shutdown, with rights monitors reporting over 10,000 arrests and hundreds of deaths since late December.
- Iranian leaders have labeled demonstrators as rioters or enemies of God, and rights groups say special Revolutionary Court branches are handling cases swiftly and severely.
- President Trump has warned Tehran that hangings or mass killings could trigger a strong U.S. response, while advocates urge international pressure to halt planned executions.