In Isfahan, two young men were publicly hanged on Tuesday in Shahid Alikhani Square for alleged participation in January protests that spanned the nation. The executions drew onlookers who shouted accusations of dishonor before security forces dispersed the crowd with tear gas.
Authorities claimed the men were involved in a 2026 incident where four members of the State Security Force were killed during demonstrations in the same square. They were also accused of arson, vandalism, and possession of firearms and incendiary devices.
The judiciary reported that the defendants had legal representation, appealed their convictions, and were sentenced based on police reports, cellphone evidence, witness testimony, confessions, and a crime‑scene reconstruction. A closed‑door hearing led to death sentences for the pair, along with two other individuals executed earlier in July.
Observers note that the men were denied the right to select their own lawyers, and court‑appointed attorneys reportedly lacked access to case files. The proceedings have been described as lacking transparency and violating international fair‑trial standards.
International experts warn that remaining defendants face imminent risk of execution, citing arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and harsh treatment prior to trial. They also highlight that at least fifty people have been executed in recent months on broad national‑security charges.
The protests that began in late December grew into one of the largest anti‑government movements in the country’s recent history, fueled by economic hardship and political dissent.
Human rights advocates criticize the use of public hangings as a method of state terror intended to deter future protests. They call on the international community to respond to these violations of human rights and due‑process norms.
