Tehran: Iran has executed two men, Mohammadamin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast, on Sunday, April 5, 2026. According to the judiciary’s Mizan news outlet, the men were convicted of attempting to storm a military facility and access an armoury during the nationwide unrest in January 2026. The Supreme Court upheld their sentences, labeling them as “rioters” who intended to commit mass murder by seizing weapons.
These hangings follow the execution of 18-year-old Amirhossein Hatami on April 2, who was a co-defendant in the same case. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned these trials as “grossly unfair,” alleging that convictions were based on forced confessions extracted under torture.
Context of the January 2026 Protests:
-
The Spark: Demonstrations began in late December 2025 over soaring living costs and a sharp depreciation of the rial, quickly evolving into a broad anti-government movement.
-
The Crackdown: The Iranian government has responded with what activists describe as the most severe crackdown in the Islamic Republic’s history. Official figures cite over 3,000 deaths, while rights groups like HRANA suggest the toll exceeds 7,000.
-
Weaponizing the Death Penalty: Amnesty International reports that at least 11 men currently face imminent execution for their participation in the protests. Many were convicted of moharebeh (“enmity against God”) in fast-tracked trials that lasted only a few hours.
International Response and Regional Tensions:
The surge in executions is taking place against a backdrop of severe regional instability. Following the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials in February 2026, the country has remained on a war footing with Israel and the United States. Rights groups warn that the Iranian authorities are using the “fog of war” and regional conflict to accelerate the execution of dissidents and silence internal opposition.
Despite international calls for a moratorium, the Iranian judiciary continues to carry out secret and arbitrary executions. Many families report that they were not given prior notice or allowed a final goodbye before the sentences were carried out at facilities like Qezelhesar Prison.
