Amnesty International has raised urgent concerns about the imminent execution of at least ten individuals in Iran, all convicted on charges tied to the nationwide protests of 2022. These protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini while in custody of Iran’s morality police, were met with brutal repression and mass arrests across the country.

Unfair Trials and Tortured Confessions

In a recent statement, Amnesty International named Fazel Bahramian, Manouchehr Mehmannawaz, Mehran Bahramian, Milad Armoun, Alireza Kafaei, Amir Mohammad Khosheqbal, Navid Najaran, Hossein Nemati, Alireza Barmarzpournak, and Mehrab (Mehran) Abdollahzadeh as individuals who have been sentenced to death following grossly unfair trials. These convictions are based on charges such as “moharebeh” (enmity against God), “baghi” (armed rebellion), and murder. Amnesty International alleges that many of these sentences were secured through confessions obtained under torture, including physical abuse, electric shocks, and sexual violence.

A Rising Toll of Executions

Since the protests began, at least ten individuals have already been executed in connection with the unrest. The most recent case involved Reza Rasaei, a Kurdish political prisoner detained during the 2022 protests. He was executed on August 6, 2024, in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, without his family or lawyer being informed, nor was he granted a final visit.

Amnesty International has described these proceedings as fundamentally unjust, highlighting a broader pattern of repression in which judicial processes are weaponized to suppress dissent.

The “Ekbatan Case”

Among those sentenced to death are six individuals—Milad Armon, Alireza Kafaei, Amir Mohammad Khosheqbal, Navid Najaran, Hossein Nemati, and Alireza Barmarzpournak—accused in the so-called “Ekbatan case.” They were convicted in November 2023 by the 13th branch of the First Criminal Court for the alleged murder of Arman Alivardi, a Basiji student who reportedly died after being assaulted during protests in Ekbatan Town in October 2022. Their appeals are currently under review by Iran’s Supreme Court.

Other Notable Cases

Other individuals highlighted in Amnesty International’s report include:

Fazel and Mehran Bahramian: Both detained during protests in Semirom, Isfahan, and sentenced to death in February 2022. Despite sharing the same surname, they are not related.
Mehrab (Mehran) Abdollahzadeh: Arrested in Oshnavieh during the protests, though little information about his case has been disclosed.
Manouchehr Mehmannawaz: His trial took place in Tehran’s General and Revolutionary Court, though further details remain unclear.
Mojahed (Abbas) Korkuri: His death sentence was recently overturned by the Supreme Court, and he is awaiting retrial.

Additionally, Amnesty International has identified two more individuals—Saeed Shirazi and Abolfazl Mehri Hossein Hajilou—facing charges that carry the death penalty. These cases are being overseen by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, known for his harsh rulings in politically sensitive cases.

A Broader Pattern of Repression

Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for the cancellation of death sentences and demanded fair trials for those detained in connection with the protests. Amnesty International has also condemned the Iranian authorities for their increasing reliance on the death penalty as a tool to instill fear and maintain control.

In 2023 alone, Iranian authorities executed at least 853 people—a 48% increase compared to the previous year. Disturbingly, 20% of those executed were from the Baloch ethnic minority, which constitutes only 5% of Iran’s population. This disproportionate targeting highlights the regime’s discriminatory practices.

A Call for Action

Amnesty International’s latest report underscores the urgent need for international pressure on Iran to halt its escalating use of the death penalty. The organization stresses the importance of ensuring fair trials, ending systemic torture, and addressing the broader human rights crisis that has engulfed the country since the 2022 protests.

As the world watches, the stakes remain high not just for those on death row, but for all Iranians fighting for justice and freedom.