Islamic Republic executes two more protesters, total reaches seven
Summary
The Islamic Republic has executed Alireza Sepahi and Alireza Raisi, two individuals detained in connection with the January 2026 protests, raising the total number of deaths linked to the Alikhani Square case to seven. These executions, confirmed by both rights groups and the judiciary, took place at Isfahan Central Prison early Monday morning. Sepahi had married his fiancée just one day prior to his execution. The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran expressed grave concerns regarding the treatment of defendants in this case, indicating that Sepahi’s mother was reportedly tortured in front of him, and his death sentence was carried out while his lawyer sought a review of the case.
Analysis
Shirin Ebadi: Shirin Ebadi is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and lawyer who publicly commented on the executions through Telegram posts. She drew attention to the personal circumstances of the executed individuals and their families in the context of the January protests case. Alireza Raisi: Alireza Raisi was another defendant executed in the Alikhani Square case at Isfahan Central Prison. His execution alongside Sepahi was confirmed by rights organizations and the judiciary. The case involves multiple individuals sentenced in connection with the January protests. Alireza Sepahi: Alireza Sepahi was a defendant in the Alikhani Square case stemming from January 2026 protests in Isfahan. He was executed at Isfahan Central Prison, with reports noting he had married his fiancée from prison the day prior. Human rights groups and his lawyer highlighted aspects of his case and treatment in detention. Islamic Republic: The Islamic Republic is the official name of the government of Iran, which oversees the country's judiciary and prison system. In this news, it carried out the reported executions of individuals connected to protests. The judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency confirmed details of the deaths. Shahrzad Shahbazi: Shahrzad Shahbazi is a lawyer involved in the legal proceedings for the Alikhani Square case. She provided information cited by HRANA regarding Alireza Sepahi's execution. Her reporting contributed to coverage by human rights monitors. International Appeals: The office of exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi urged governments, human rights organizations, and international bodies to take action to prevent further executions related to the protests. Human Rights Oversight: The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran raised serious concerns about the treatment of defendants and fair-trial standards in the Alikhani Square case.
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