Iran is set to execute Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old man, in what would be the first capital punishment linked to the ongoing anti–regime protests sweeping the country.
Soltani was arrested last week during demonstrations in Karaj and is scheduled to be hanged on Wednesday, according to human rights groups.
“His family was informed that he has been sentenced to death and that the execution is due to be carried out on January 14,” Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) quoted a source as saying.
In a statement, the NGO warned of a serious risk of mass and extrajudicial executions of protesters. "Under the Responsibility to Protect, the international community has a duty to protect civilian protesters against mass killings by the Islamic Republic and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. We call on people and civil society in democratic countries to remind their governments of this responsibility," it said.
Another rights group, the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFD), also appealed for international intervention to halt Soltani’s execution, alleging that he was denied access to legal counsel.
Erfan Soltani was arrested for protesting during Iran's 2026 uprising.
— National Union for Democracy in Iran (@NUFDIran) January 11, 2026
The Islamic Republic is set to execute him this Wednesday, and informed his family that the sentence is final. He was denied access to a lawyer.
Erfan’s only crime was calling for freedom.
Be his voice. pic.twitter.com/73WfZCJiq2
According to a US Sun report, Soltani has been charged with “waging war against God,” an offence punishable by death under Iranian law. His supporters claim he has not been allowed legal advice and had no chance to defend himself before a verdict of death by hanging was delivered.
He was allowed to see his family for just ten minutes yesterday to say goodbye, the report said, citing activists.
Meanwhile, the death toll from Iran’s nationwide protests has risen to at least 646, with activists warning that the figure is likely to increase.
The estimate comes from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has a track record of accurately documenting casualties during past demonstrations, the Associated Press reported. The group compiles its figures through a network of activists inside Iran who verify reported deaths.
