Iran orders execution of 26-yr-old over anti‑Khamenei protests
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New Delhi: A 26-year-old Iranian protester detained during nationwide anti-Khamenei demonstrations is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, a move that has sparked international concern and renewed criticism of Iran’s use of capital punishment to suppress dissent.
Erfan Soltani, arrested on January 8 for participating in protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is set to be hanged after being charged with “Moharebeh,” or enmity against God, according to media reports.
If carried out, Soltani’s execution would be the first directly linked to the current wave of anti-Khamenei unrest.
For days after his arrest, Soltani’s family had no information about his whereabouts. When authorities finally contacted them, they were not informed of formal charges or a court hearing. Instead, they were told that Soltani had already been sentenced to death. The family was allowed a single, brief meeting with him, lasting just 10 minutes, to say their final goodbyes.
Family members, described as frightened and traumatised, have reportedly been warned not to speak publicly about the case. Iranian authorities allegedly threatened that additional family members would be arrested if they shared information with the media or activists.
Soltani’s rapid execution order, issued within a week of his arrest, has drawn sharp criticism from international legal experts and human rights groups. Experts warn that Iran may be resorting to so-called “field executions,” or summary killings carried out without due process, to intimidate protesters and suppress opposition. Soltani’s case is being cited as a chilling example of the regime’s increasingly harsh crackdown on dissent.
The protests, now in their 20th day, began over record inflation and the sharp devaluation of Iran’s currency but have since grown into widespread demonstrations questioning the authority of the Supreme Leader. Unrest has been reported in more than 280 locations across the country.
According to activist groups, the crackdown has been severe, with at least 2,000 people reportedly killed and around 20,000 arrested. Internet services have been shut down for more than five days, severely restricting communication with the outside world.
Activists say some Iranians attempted to use Starlink satellite internet to bypass restrictions, but authorities allegedly jammed the signals using military-grade equipment and deployed militias to raid rooftops, seize terminals, and punish users.
With IANS inputs