Iran has executed a man convicted over his alleged role in the anti government protests that swept parts of the country in January, according to the judiciary. The execution followed the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence, making it one of the latest protest related cases to end in capital punishment.
State media identified the man as Mohammad Amini Dehaghani. Judicial authorities said he was found guilty of setting fire to a governor’s office and a police station in Isfahan province during the unrest. Prosecutors also accused him of encouraging attacks on security forces and attempting to use a rifle taken from police officers.
Officials said the case was supported by surveillance footage and the defendant’s confession. They maintained that the trial and appeals process were conducted in line with Iranian law before the sentence was carried out.
The January demonstrations were fueled by public frustration over economic conditions and political issues. The protests spread to several cities and prompted a major security response, with authorities arresting large numbers of people accused of taking part in the unrest.
Iranian officials have defended the prosecutions, saying those convicted were responsible for violent acts that endangered public safety. They insist the sentences were handed down for criminal offenses and not for participating in peaceful protests.
Human rights organizations have sharply criticized the execution. Amnesty International and other groups have questioned whether defendants in similar cases received fair trials, alleging that some convictions relied on forced confessions and that access to legal representation was limited. Iranian authorities have rejected those allegations.
The execution is expected to draw renewed international attention to Iran’s use of the death penalty. Several Western governments and rights organizations have repeatedly called on Tehran to stop carrying out executions linked to protest cases, arguing that they raise serious concerns about due process and human rights.
The case highlights the continuing tensions between Iran and international rights advocates over the government’s response to public demonstrations. While Iranian authorities say they are enforcing the law to protect public order, critics argue that the use of capital punishment in protest related cases has further intensified concerns about the country’s human rights record.
