The world watches with a heavy heart as Iran prepares to execute 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, marking what could be the first of many executions in a brutal government crackdown on protests.
Human rights organizations have condemned the move, highlighting Soltani’s plight as a tragic symbol of the Iranian regime’s ongoing repression.
His “crime”? Simply calling for freedom in a country where dissent is met with deadly force.
The Arrest and Imminent Execution
Soltani, a small business owner from Fardis in central Iran, was arrested in the wake of widespread anti-government protests that began in late December.
Human rights groups have reported that he was detained without due process, denied access to legal counsel, and quickly sentenced to death.
Despite not being an active political figure, Soltani was swept up in the government’s crackdown, accused of participating in the protests.
In a heartbreaking move, Soltani’s family has been told they can have just 10 minutes with him before his execution, which is set to take place today.
His sister, a licensed lawyer, has tried to pursue the case legally, but the authorities have obstructed her efforts, refusing to grant her access to the case file.
A Growing List of Arrests and Executions
Soltani’s case is part of a larger, more disturbing trend.
Since the protests erupted in late December, over 10,000 individuals have been arrested, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
And while Soltani may be the first to face the death penalty, experts fear that he will not be the last.
Public executions are a chilling part of the Iranian government’s strategy to quell dissent, and the protests, which began as demonstrations against economic hardship, have escalated into calls for the end of the regime.
The authorities have responded with increasingly violent tactics, including the use of live ammunition to silence protesters.
The Fear of Torture and Extrajudicial Killings
As Soltani’s case has unfolded, many have expressed concerns about the likely abuse and torture he endured while detained.
According to Arina Moradi, a member of the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Iranian authorities are notorious for extracting confessions under duress, and they often carry out executions in secret, with little regard for international law.
One source close to the Soltani family shared that the regime has taken deliberate steps to avoid transparency in Soltani’s case, depriving him of the most basic legal rights.
His swift conviction and the impending execution appear to violate both Iranian and international human rights standards.
Escalating Violence and Mass Protests
The protests that began in late December have since grown in size and intensity, with some of the largest demonstrations taking place on Thursday, January 11, marking the 12th night of unrest.
Witnesses have described streets as “warzones,” with security forces using heavy firepower against unarmed civilians.
The violence has been so extreme that some have compared it to a massacre.
One anonymous protester described the scene to the BBC, saying, “They’re taking away bodies in trucks, and everyone is frightened. There’s blood everywhere.”
The brutality of the regime’s response has drawn international condemnation, but the Iranian government remains determined to suppress the uprising.
The Regime’s Justification and the Language of Violence
In a chilling statement, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has characterized the protesters as “rioters” and labeled them “enemies of God” — a charge that carries the death penalty.
The regime’s judicial system, which is widely regarded as a tool of repression, has set up “special branches” to expedite the trial and execution of these so-called “insurgents.”
Human rights activists argue that this constitutes a violation of international law, as the trials are rushed and lack the basic principles of due process.
These kangaroo courts are designed to quickly eliminate dissenters, often without any meaningful legal defense.
A History of Repression and Execution
Soltani’s case is hardly an isolated one. Iran has a long history of using capital punishment to silence opposition.
In 2025 alone, more than 2,200 people were executed in the country, marking a grim record under Khamenei’s rule.
The regime has shown little regard for human rights, even as it faces mounting pressure from the international community to halt its deadly practices.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has condemned Soltani’s execution, calling him a “young freedom-seeker” whose only crime was standing up for the rights of the Iranian people.
His death, they argue, represents the regime’s ruthless effort to crush any hope for change.
International Outrage and Calls for Action
As the situation in Iran worsens, international leaders and human rights organizations are speaking out.
The United Nations has condemned the violence against protesters, with Volker Turk, the UN’s human rights chief, expressing his horror at the mounting deaths.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for an end to the regime’s excessive use of force, urging the Iranian authorities to listen to the demands of the people for justice, fairness, and equality.
But despite this global outcry, the Iranian government has shown no signs of relenting.
On Friday, Khamenei issued a warning to the protesters, declaring that the Islamic Republic would not back down, and ordering his security forces to continue their violent crackdown.
What’s Next for Iran?
The question that remains is: where will this cycle of violence lead? With the death toll rising and the regime’s grip on power tightening, many fear that the situation will only worsen.
For now, the world waits, hoping that the cries for freedom from the Iranian people will not go unheard.
But with the Iranian authorities showing no signs of backing down, it seems the fight for justice and human rights is far from over.
Erfan Soltani’s case is a heartbreaking reminder of the lengths to which the Iranian regime will go to maintain control.
His death, should it happen, will not just be the loss of a young man with a dream for a better life but also a symbol of the oppressive forces that continue to suppress the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom.
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