Authorities defend convictions while UN experts raise concerns over fair trial standards
TEHRAN: Iranian authorities publicly executed two men on Tuesday after convicting them over their alleged involvement in deadly unrest during the January protests in Isfahan, according to Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency.
The men, identified as Amirhossein Safari and Abolfazl Sepahi, were accused of attacking security personnel during demonstrations in Alikhani Square on January 8. State media alleged they assaulted police officers with knives and machetes, set them on fire and contributed to violence that resulted in the deaths of four members of the security forces.
Iranian authorities said the pair were convicted of moharebeh (“waging war against God”) and “corruption on earth”, offences that can carry the death penalty under Iranian law.
UN experts question legal proceedings
The executions came despite concerns previously raised by United Nations human rights experts, who said the 12 defendants linked to the Isfahan case were tried together in closed-door proceedings that allegedly failed to meet international fair trial standards.
According to UN experts, at least 24 people have been executed in connection with the January protests since the beginning of 2026. They argued that the increasing use of capital punishment in protest-related cases risks suppressing dissent and creating fear within society.
Human rights organisations have also criticised Iran’s handling of the demonstrations, although Iranian authorities have consistently rejected allegations of systemic abuses and maintain that they acted within the law to restore public order.
Executions trigger renewed criticism
Videos circulating online and reports from rights organisations indicated that security measures were heightened around the execution site before the sentences were carried out.
Separately, UN experts expressed concern over the case of Shervin Bagherian Jebeli, who was reportedly 18 at the time of his arrest. They questioned whether he had access to legal representation after state television aired what was described as a confession before trial.
The latest executions have renewed international scrutiny of Iran’s response to the January protests, with rights advocates urging authorities to uphold due process and comply with international human rights obligations, while Tehran continues to defend its judicial actions as lawful measures against individuals accused of violent offences.
