The execution of young protester Erfan may be carried out in Iran today

Iran may carry out the death sentence of a young protester as early as Wednesday, raising fresh international alarm over the authorities’ handling of the country’s widening unrest. Erfan Soltani, aged 26, was arrested for alleged involvement in recent demonstrations and now faces imminent execution, according to human rights organisations monitoring the situation.

The Norway-based Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, which focuses on rights conditions in Iran and the Kurdish regions, reported that Soltani’s execution could take place today. He was detained last Thursday at his family home in Karaj, a city northwest of Tehran that has witnessed intense protests. At the time of his arrest, demonstrations were escalating rapidly, shortly before the authorities imposed widespread internet shutdowns.

What has drawn particular concern is the speed with which Soltani’s case progressed through the judicial system. Reports indicate that within less than a week of his arrest, he was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. Such accelerated proceedings have been strongly criticised by international observers, who argue that they deny defendants basic guarantees of due process and a fair trial.

Amnesty International has expressed grave concern over Soltani’s fate, warning that Iranian authorities may once again resort to “summary trials and arbitrary executions to silence dissent”. Citing informed sources, Amnesty said Iranian officials notified Soltani’s family on 11 January that he had been sentenced to death. Since last Thursday, amid mass arrests and communications blackouts, he has reportedly been unable to contact his relatives or lawyers.

Soltani is one of thousands detained in recent weeks as Iran faces its most significant wave of anti-government protests since 2022. Although the demonstrations initially erupted in response to soaring inflation and worsening economic conditions, they have quickly taken on a political character. Protesters across Tehran and numerous provincial cities are now openly calling for an end to the current system of governance.

Human rights monitors note that Iran is among the world’s leading executioners. After China, it is believed to carry out the highest number of death sentences globally. According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group, at least 1,500 executions were recorded in Iran last year alone.

The ongoing unrest has been deadly. An Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday that at least 2,500 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed since protests began on 28 December. The government has blamed the unrest on foreign interference, accusing the United States and Israel of inciting instability—claims both countries deny.

Key Facts at a Glance

As international pressure mounts, Soltani’s case has come to symbolise broader concerns over the use of capital punishment and the suppression of dissent in Iran during periods of political crisis.