The Daily Populous Tuesday January 13rd, 2026 morning edition
Authored by indiatoday.in and submitted by YoBamdad

Iranian authorities are reportedly preparing to carry out what would be the first hanging execution associated with the nationwide anti-Khamenei protests, with 26-year-old Erfan Soltani facing an imminent death sentence.

Soltani, a resident of Fardis in Karaj suburb of Tehran, was arrested on January 8 for participating in anti-Ayatollah Ali Khamenei protests that have spread across Iran since early January. According to a human rights group and media reports, Soltani's sentence is scheduled for Wednesday.

While Iran has previously used execution as a tool to quell dissent, those deaths have largely been carried out through shootings. Soltani will reportedly be hanged to death, a first in the current protests.

Israel- and US-based news outlet Jfeed reported that Soltani's case might mark the beginning of a series of fast-track executions aimed at deterring any further demonstrations.

Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, a Kurdish civil rights group registered in Norway, has raised concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the legal process.

Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur Mario Nawfal posted about Soltani on X from his verified account, saying the execution could be the first of many, alleging that authorities are using fear to control crowds.

Since his arrest, Soltani has allegedly been denied basic legal rights, including access to legal counsel and the opportunity to present a defence. His family has also been kept uninformed about key aspects of the case, including the identity of the authority that arrested him.

Soltani's family was reportedly informed on January 11 that he had been sentenced to death, Jfeed reported, quoting Hengaw Organisation. They were allowed only a brief 10-minute visit with him after learning of the sentence, the report added.

A source close to the family told Hengaw that authorities have informed them the sentence is final and will be carried out as scheduled.

The source added that Soltani's sister, who is a licenced lawyer, has attempted to follow up on the case through legal channels. However, she has so far been denied access to the case file and has not been allowed to represent him or challenge the sentence.

Nawfal also claimed that 2,000 people have died in the ongoing anti-Khamenei protests so far.

The latest wave of protests in Iran began in late December 2025, due to severe economic distress, including a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian Rial, rising inflation and surging costs for basic goods.

Demonstrations started in Tehran's bazaars and quickly spread to many other cities as shopkeepers, students and ordinary citizens took to the streets to demand relief from worsening living conditions and broader political change.

What began as economic protests has now grown into one of the largest nationwide movements in years to oust the regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with activists calling for reforms and an end to the clerical leadership's rule.

Published By: Anand Singh Published On: Jan 12, 2026

BarryZZZ on January 12nd, 2026 at 23:09 UTC »

Creating martyrs might not be the best course of action.

DownSyndromSteven on January 12nd, 2026 at 23:08 UTC »

Incredibly sad to be so cavalier with a life

onekrazykat on January 12nd, 2026 at 23:07 UTC »

As opposed the more summarily executed protestors they have just gunned down on the streets. There’s barely a hairsbreadth of difference.