Iran Executes Two Men Convicted of Killing Police in Protests
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Iran has executed two men convicted of killing police officers during recent anti-government protests. The executions follow a pattern of increased death sentences and executions in the country, with authorities attributing the unrest to foreign interference.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two men were executed for killing police during Iran's recent protests.
- The executions took place in Isfahan following Supreme Court approval.
- Protests began over economic issues and escalated into anti-regime demonstrations.
- Iran claims foreign powers instigated violence during the unrest.
- Execution rates in Iran have significantly increased in 2025.
Iranian judicial authorities announced on Monday the execution of two men convicted of involvement in the killing of four police officers during anti-government protests earlier this year. The judiciary accused the men of killing the officers in the city of Isfahan during protests that began in Tehran in late December over rising living costs. These demonstrations evolved into widespread anti-regime unrest, peaking on January 8 and 9.
According to the judiciary's Mizan Online news outlet, Ali Reza Sepahi and Ali Reza Raesi were hanged on Monday morning after the Supreme Court upheld their sentences. The outlet did not specify when they were arrested or tried. It added that the men were sentenced to death for "belonging to an armed group and undermining national security."
Authorities confirmed that approximately 3,000 people were killed during the protests, which included riots they attributed to "terrorist operations" orchestrated by the United States and Israel. However, overseas-based organizations reported higher casualty figures and accused the authorities of a severe crackdown on protesters.
Tehran announced last Saturday the execution of another man convicted of multiple charges, including shooting police officers during the protests. The pace of executions in Iran has accelerated since the start of the US-Israel war in February. In 2025, the Islamic Republic executed at least 1,639 people, the highest annual figure since 1989, according to Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty. Amnesty International states that Iran carries out more executions than any country except China.