Iranian prosecutors announced Tuesday they would pursue capital crime charges against demonstrators arrested during recent protests, signaling a potential escalation in the government’s crackdown on dissent. The Tehran prosecutor’s office stated an unspecified number of individuals would face charges of “moharebeh” (waging war against God), a sharia law violation carrying the death penalty.
The development comes amid alarming execution statistics from human rights organizations. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group reported at least 1,500 executions in Iran during the previous year, making the country the world’s second-most prolific executioner after China. During the 2022-2023 protest wave, twelve protesters were executed, with an additional twelve put to death on espionage charges related to Israel.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed grave concern over judicial officials publicly discussing potential death penalties for protesters through expedited proceedings. Rights organizations fear the Islamic republic is conducting rapid trials without observing fair trial standards for detained demonstrators.
The case of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested last week in Karaj, exemplifies these concerns. According to family sources, Soltani has already received a death sentence and could face execution as early as Wednesday, though state media hasn’t reported on the case and charges remain unclear.
Iranian state media has emphasized that dozens of security force members died at the hands of “rioters,” while rights groups report hundreds of protester fatalities, with potentially higher numbers unconfirmed. The situation continues to draw international condemnation as Iran employs severe judicial measures against dissent.