Iran carries out public hanging of January protesters in Isfahan square, drawing fresh outrage

The Islamic regime publicly executed two protesters detained amid the January demonstrations in Alikhani Square in Isfahan on Tuesday morning, triggering renewed public anger, according to official judicial media and online footage shared in opposition networks.

The two men were identified by Mizan news agency as Amirhossein Safari and Abolfazl Sepahi. They were accused of attacking police officers with machetes and knives, binding them to road signs, dragging them along the ground, pouring gasoline on them, and setting them ablaze on January 8, the same day four security personnel were reportedly killed by demonstrators in the square.

Human rights organizations estimate that over 30,000 individuals died at the hands of the Islamic regime during the December and January protests. Tehran, however, maintains that foreign-backed rioters caused 3,117 deaths, including 427 security force members.

Multiple reports indicate that the Islamic Republic often required families to accept the official account before releasing victims bodies for burial.

Relatives were reportedly compelled to sign documents stating that rioters were responsible for the fatalities or that the deceased had belonged to the Basij paramilitary force.

Convicted on charges of waging war against God

Twelve men in total were found guilty in connection with the alleged killings in the square. Two others were put to death on July 19 for their supposed involvement, even after the UN flagged serious flaws in the legal process that produced their convictions.

Safari and Sepahi were found guilty of moharebeh by drawing weapons and creating fear and terror as well as corruption on earth for committing acts that severely disrupted public order and security in the country. Such charges have been applied against many demonstrators.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting aired video of the claimed attack and labeled the men monarchist rioters.

Reports noted that Iran had prepared for the public execution after iron scaffolding was erected in the square overnight and the location was placed under intense police watch.

Beni Sabti, an Iranian expert on the Islamic Republic at INSS, told The Jerusalem Post that protests had already erupted in response to the executions. He added that the regime's boldness appeared designed to signal to the international community that it no longer cared about concealing its human rights violations.

During earlier protests the regime cut internet access to hide the violent crackdown, and many executions occurred without advance notice to families in breach of Iranian law. Now the regime is staging these acts openly in public, he emphasized.

It stems from the confidence they gained after the end of the conflict. They believe they overcame Israel and the United States and also crushed the protesters, he said. That has left them feeling extremely confident and powerful, to the point where they think they can do this. From the perspective of the Iranian regime's logic and behavior, it is actually a very logical step.

A source close to Safari's family told the diaspora site Iran International that relatives had been called to Isfahan Central Prison for a final visit.

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Mai Sato, stated that the 12 protesters faced a group trial in a closed proceeding that violated fair trial standards.

Since the start of 2026, at least 24 people have been executed in connection with the January protests, the experts noted, adding that the death penalty is being used to instill fear in society and suppress dissent.

The UN experts cautioned that current laws in the Islamic Republic make it impossible to criticize the government without risking retaliation, harassment, and prosecution.

There are now immediate concerns for the well-being of Shervin Bagherian Jebeli, who turned 18 just days before his arrest.

Within a week, and before any trial, state television broadcast a video of him confessing to violence against security officers during interrogation. He appeared unaware of the meaning of the capital charge of moharebeh, which the UN experts warned raised concerns about whether he had access to any legal counsel of his own choosing.