Iran carries out execution of man arrested during January protests

Mohammad Abbasi, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026 and held at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, has been executed at dawn today, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

Abbasi’s death sentence had recently been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court.

A source close to the prisoner’s family, speaking anonymously to HRANA, said prison officials had initially summoned Abbasi’s family to Ghezel Hesar for a visit but later denied them access. After the family left the facility, they were reportedly informed by phone that the execution had already taken place.

HRANA had previously reported on April 27, 2026, that Branch 39 of the Supreme Court had rejected Abbasi’s appeal and confirmed his death sentence.

In the same case, the 25-year prison sentence of his daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi—currently held in Evin Prison’s women’s ward—was also upheld.

Abbasi had been convicted in connection with the killing of Lieutenant Colonel Shahin Dehghani Kakavandi in Malard.

Following proceedings at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, he was sentenced to death on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh).

According to his lawyer, the case was later reviewed by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court after an appeal by a court-appointed attorney.

The lawyer also claimed that independent defence counsel were barred from accessing the case file under provisions of Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

HRANA data indicate that, amid escalating security tensions and clashes, the use of death sentences in political and security-related cases has increased.

Including Abbasi, at least 32 prisoners have reportedly been executed in similar cases during this period.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov