Iran’s judiciary has denied scheduling the execution of a man arrested in connection with recent protests, despite earlier reports from human rights organizations. Erfan Soltani, 26, was reportedly facing execution just days after his detention, prompting international concern and warnings from the United States.
Concerns Over Soltani’s Case
Norway-based Kurdish human rights organisation Hengaw said earlier this week that Soltani’s family had been told he faced execution on Wednesday. Hengaw later cited the family as saying Soltani’s execution had been “postponed,” but warned that “serious and ongoing concerns” regarding his life remained.
US Response and Iranian Denial
US President Donald Trump said, “This is good news. Hopefully, it will continue!” after warning Iran not to execute protesters. The Iranian judiciary stated Soltani faced charges of “colluding against national security” and “propaganda activities against the establishment,” which do not carry the death penalty, according to state broadcaster IRIB. It labelled reports of an impending execution as a “blatant act of news fabrication.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said in an interview with US television that there was “no plan” to hang people. Trump had threatened to take “very strong action” if executions were carried out, amid speculation of possible US military strikes. He later told reporters that sources had informed him “the killing in Iran is stopping, and there’s no plan for executions”.
Conflicting Accounts of Arrest
Soltani, a clothes shop owner, was arrested at his home last Thursday in connection with protests in Fardis, west of Tehran, according to Hengaw and his family. However, the judiciary said he was arrested during “riots” on Saturday and was being held in Karaj, according to IRIB.
Family Concerns and Allegations of Unfair Trials
Speaking from Europe, Soltani’s cousin, Somaya, said he remained in jail and she was concerned, despite limited news due to the internet blackout in Iran. She said a message sent via Starlink indicated he had not been assigned a defence lawyer and his family was under pressure from authorities.
“Erfan is the heart of that family. He’s a very calm, very kind person,” Somaya said, adding that he loved photography, sport and animals and had just wanted “basic rights” for himself and the people of Iran. “He had thousands of hopes for himself and other young people.” She believes the government hoped executing Soltani would “scare people into stopping the protests,” stating, “They didn’t have any reason to arrest Erfan. There are many Erfans. The only strategy of the government is to end the protests this way.”
New US Sanctions
The US Treasury department announced new sanctions on five senior Iranian officials accused of orchestrating the crackdown on protesters. Those sanctioned included Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security, as well as commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and police forces in Lorestan and Fars provinces, where security personnel allegedly killed civilians.
Broader Context of Protests and Executions
Iran Human Rights says threats of the death penalty against detainees and their families are not uncommon. The chief justice, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, has advocated for the swift trial and punishment of arrested “rioters,” stating that those who committed violent acts should be punished “quickly.” Justice Minister Amin Hossein Rahimi said anyone arrested during protests between last Thursday and Saturday was “definitely a criminal.”
Over the past three years, Iran has hanged at least 12 men sentenced to death in connection with the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, with human rights groups alleging their convictions stemmed from torture-tainted “confessions” and unfair trials.
The current wave of protests began with shopkeepers in Tehran striking over the rising cost of living and currency devaluation, quickly spreading nationwide and turning against the clerical establishment. Demonstrators have chanted slogans including “Death to the dictator” and “Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will be toppled this year.”
Casualty and Arrest Figures
The protests escalated last Thursday and were met with deadly force by authorities, accompanied by a near-total internet shutdown. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports at least 2,453 protesters have been killed since the unrest began, including 14 children, 156 security forces or government affiliates, and 14 uninvolved civilians. HRANA also reports 18,470 protesters have been arrested.
Iran Human Rights says it has verified the killing of at least 3,428 protesters by security forces and estimates around 20,000 arrests.
International Response
Canada’s Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, said a Canadian citizen had “died in Iran at the hands of Iranian authorities,” without providing further details. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also reported the death of an Iranian Red Crescent staff member, Amir Ali Latifi, and injuries to five colleagues in Gilan province on January 10.
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