Key facts
- Iran executed two men, Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi, described as "armed leaders of early 2026 unrest."
- The executions took place in Shahrud county.
- The men were convicted of Moharebeh, corruption on earth, damaging property, and crimes against national security.
- Other reports mention the executions of Mohammadamin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast, Ali Fahim, Mehrdad Mohammadinia, and Ashkan Maleki in connection with the same protests.
- These executions are linked to nationwide anti-government protests in January 2026.
- Amnesty International has raised concerns about torture and unfair trials in these cases.
Iran executed two men identified as "armed leaders of early 2026 unrest" in Shahrud, according to the judiciary's news outlet Mizan. The men, Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi, were convicted of Moharebeh (waging war against God), corruption on earth, damaging public and private property, and crimes against national security.
Additional reports indicate that Mohammadamin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast were executed on April 5, 2026, for attempting to storm a military facility and access an armory during unrest in January. These individuals were among a group of four facing execution in the same case, with Iran's Supreme Court having upheld their sentences. Another report identified Mehrdad Mohammadinia and Ashkan Maleki as executed for setting fire to a mosque and damaging public property during the protests.
Ali Fahim, aged 23, was also executed for an attempt to storm a military facility and access an armory during the January unrest. He was among three others executed in connection with the incident, including Amirhossein Hatami, who was executed earlier the previous week. Another man linked to the same case is believed to face execution soon, according to Amnesty International.
The nationwide anti-government protests in January 2026 were repressed by the Islamic Republic, described as the biggest crackdown in its history. Authorities characterized the defendants as "rioters" acting against national security. Amnesty International stated that several defendants faced execution over the unrest and alleged that detainees were subjected to torture and "grossly unfair trials" that relied on forced confessions.