Iran Threatens to Execute 30 Protesters, Including Teenagers

At least 30 people detained during Iran's January 2026 protests now face the imminent threat of execution, with eight already sentenced to death in swift trials held just weeks after their arrest.

The condemned include young men such as 18-year-old Saleh Mohammadi and 19-year-old Mohammad Amin Biglari, alongside Ali Fahim, Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, Amirhossein Khatami, Shahin Vahedparast Kolour, Shahab Zodi, and Yaser Rajaeifar.

A further 22 individuals are currently on trial or awaiting court proceedings, with their cases marred by severe due process violations. These include denial of access to a lawyer during the investigation phase, the rejection of family-appointed defenders, and the extraction of confessions under torture.

"Iranian authorities are once again displaying their utter disregard for the right to life and a fair trial... By using the death penalty as a weapon, they aim to instill fear," said Diana Eltahawy of Amnesty International.

Human rights groups express particular alarm that a significant portion of those at risk are youth, including two 17-year-olds. They warn the true number facing execution is likely far higher due to a pattern of enforced disappearances and pressure on detainees' families.

The nationwide protests erupted in late December 2025 amid a severe economic crisis and were violently suppressed by security forces in early January. Unverified reports suggest over 7,000 people were killed in the clashes, including more than 200 security personnel, with approximately 53,500 arrests made. Unrest continues, with new protest actions reported at a leading university as recently as February 21.