Iran executes protest-linked convict as executions surge

Iran has executed Siavash Jamshidi, a man convicted of attacking security forces during anti-government demonstrations that swept across the country earlier this year.

The judiciary announced the execution on Saturday, saying Jamshidi had been convicted of multiple offences, including firing a military-grade weapon at police officers during the protests.

The demonstrations began in December last year amid public anger over living costs and grew into mass rallies, reaching their peak on January 8 and 9.

Jamshidi was accused of targeting security personnel during the unrest, which Iranian authorities say resulted in more than 3,000 deaths. Tehran attributed the violence to “terrorist acts” allegedly organised by the United States and Israel.

“Jamshidi was sentenced to death on charges of moharebeh through brandishing and firing a firearm, as well as conspiracy and collusion against national security,” Iran’s judiciary said.

Moharebeh, under Iranian law, means “waging war against God” and can carry the death penalty.

Mizan Online, the judiciary’s news website, reported that Jamshidi had also been convicted of several other offences that were not directly linked to the protests. These included “fraud, making threats, theft, possession and carrying of an illegal military-grade weapon”.

Additional convictions included “complicity in kidnapping, brandishing a weapon to intimidate, and intentional infliction of bodily harm”.

Mizan said Jamshidi had been “active” during the protests.

Foreign-based NGOs, however, have disputed the Iranian government’s account of the violence, saying Iranian security forces fired on demonstrators.

The execution comes amid a broader increase in arrests and executions in Iran following the unrest. The number of cases has also risen since the outbreak of war, with authorities linking some arrests and executions to both the conflict and the protests.

US President Donald Trump had threatened military intervention in Iran during the unrest. Weeks later, in late February, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, triggering a wider Middle East war.

Human rights groups say Iran’s use of the death penalty has reached exceptionally high levels. Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, according to Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty — the highest annual figure recorded in the country since 1989.

Amnesty International says Iran carries out more executions than any country except China.

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