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Dawn executions in Iran: Who were the two men hanged to death in Iran after January protests?

Reports indicate that more than half a dozen others linked to the same wave of arrests were executed last week.

By Trisha Katyayan

Apr 06, 2026 08:14 IST

Authorities in Iran have executed two men whose cases had drawn attention in recently in January. Mohammadamin Biglari (19) and Shahin Vahedparast Kalour (30), were hanged at Ghezel Hesar Prison at dawn on Sunday, as reported by Daily Mail.

They were among at least 25 individuals believed to be at risk after being detained during anti-regime protests in January. Reports indicate that more than half a dozen others linked to the same wave of arrests were executed last week.

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Arrests during January protests

Both the men were detained on January 8 and accused of involvement in arson at a Basij paramilitary base. Following their arrest, they were held in custody for weeks before being brought before the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on February 6.

They were convicted of 'Moharaebeh', or 'enmity against God', a charge that carries the death penalty. The sentence was delivered by 'death judge' Abolghassem Salavati.

Other individuals convicted on the same day were Abolfazl Siavashani (51), Shahab Zohdi (38), Ali Fahim (23), Yaser Rajaifar and Amirhossein Hatami (18). Amirhossein Hatami, described as a musician, was executed last Wednesday. Concerns remain for others who were reportedly moved to pre-execution solitary confinement.

Final visits not allowed

Biglari and Kalour's family did not get final visits or the chance to say goodbye before their executions.

Reportedly, Biglari's father searched through the bodies of thousands killed by the regime for three weeks, despite being in poor health, before learning that his son had been detained.

They "confessed" after weeks in prison, where there are many reports of torture, before appearing in front of the feared Revolutionary Court in Tehran on February 6.

Concerns raised by rights groups

Mahmoud Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, warned of further executions. "These daily executions, carried out under the shadow of war, are part of a deliberate policy to terrorise the Iranian people and prevent new protests," Daily Mail reported him as saying.

"The Islamic Republic's main threat is not foreign bombs; it is the Iranian people demanding fundamental change.

We fear for the lives of political prisoners and hundreds of detained protesters in the coming days and weeks," he added.

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Lawyers involved in the cases have pointed to inconsistencies in the confessions and said they were not allowed to present a full defence.

Rising execution numbers

According to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, at least 13 political prisoners, including several linked to protests, have been executed since the start of the recent conflict.

Executions in Iran have increased sharply since the 2022 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protests. Campaigners claim the numbers rose further after the 2025 conflict, reaching levels not seen in decades.

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