Preparations are on to hang 26-year-old youth Irfan Sultani in the first death sentence case related to protests in Iran. This incident has happened amid ongoing massive protests against the rule of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Irfan sentenced in two days

Irfan Sultani is from Fardis, a neighborhood near the city of Karaj, west of Tehran. He was arrested on January 8, 2026 for taking part in the ongoing protests in Karaj. According to human rights organizations and sources close to the family, his sentence was carried out very quickly. Within just two days of his arrest, the court sentenced him to death. He was not given a chance to meet any lawyer or face trial.

On January 11 (Monday), the family was told that the punishment would be executed by hanging today i.e. on January 14, 2026. The family was allowed to meet him only for 10 minutes, which is said to be the last meeting.

Accused of waging war against God

The charges against Irfan mainly relate to his participation in protests and some reports state that he has been accused of ‘waging war against God’, which is a crime punishable by death in Iran. The family says that Irfan was not a big political activist, but belonged to that part of the young generation who was angry with the current condition of the country.

Trump’s attack on Iran’s attitude

This case is important because it could be the first execution related to the current protests. Human rights organizations are calling this a very fast and non-transparent process, which is a violation of international laws. US President Donald Trump has also warned that if Iran does so, the US will take ‘very strong action’ and that help for the protesters is ‘on the way’.

Demonstration against the government across the country

These protests started on 28 December 2025 in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran against economic difficulties like inflation, decline of Iranian Rial and rising prices of essential commodities. Soon these spread across the country and big slogans started being raised against the government. This is considered to be the biggest protest movement in decades.

According to human rights organizations such as Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), Hengaw Organization and Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 2,500 people have been killed so far in the protests. Many reports put the figure above 2,000, which also includes children. Thousands of people have been arrested and internet and calling services have been almost shut down across the country.

Iran Anti Khamenei Protests: A big and worrying news has come to light amid the ongoing protests against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran. It is being told that for the first time, death penalty can be given in a case related to these demonstrations. According to reports, 26-year-old Irfan Soltani is set to be hanged and this punishment can be implemented on Wednesday.

Irfan Soltani is a resident of Fardis area of ​​Karaj city near Tehran. He was arrested on January 8 for participating in the demonstration against Khamenei. Human rights organizations and media say that the date of his death sentence has been fixed and it can be executed any time now.

Death sentence for the first time

The death penalty has been used in Iran before to suppress protests, but in most cases people were shot to death. This is said to be the first case of hanging during the current protests.

Fast trial and atmosphere of fear?

According to reports by Israeli and US-based news outlet Jfeed, Soltani’s case could be the beginning of faster sentences. The report says that the Iranian government wants to stop further demonstrations by taking such strict action.

Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a Kurdish human rights organization registered in Norway, has raised serious questions about the legal process in this case. The organization says that transparency has not been maintained in the entire process.

Accused of being deprived of legal rights

According to reports, after his arrest, Irfan Soltani was not given a chance to meet his lawyer and explain himself. His family was also kept away from important information about the case, it was not even clearly told which agency arrested him.

Quoting the Hangau organization, Zafid said that Soltani’s family was informed about his death sentence on January 11. After this the family was allowed to meet him only for 10 minutes. A source close to the family said that the authorities have made it clear that the punishment is final and will be implemented in due course.

Even the lawyer sister did not get permission

According to sources, Soltani’s sister, herself a licensed lawyer, tried to pursue the case through legal channels. But he was not allowed to see the case file, represent his brother or challenge the sentence.

Lebanese-Australian businessman Mario Noufal has claimed on social media platform X that around 2,000 people have died so far in the current protests. He said that the government wants to control the crowd by using fear.

Why did the protests erupt?

This new wave of protests in Iran started in late December 2025. The reason for this is said to be serious economic crisis. People are troubled by the sharp fall in the value of the Iranian currency Riyal, inflation and rising prices of everyday items.

The demonstrations initially started in the markets of Tehran, but soon spread to other cities. Shopkeepers, students and common people came out on the streets. Now this movement has become one of the largest anti-government movements in the country, in which people are demanding reforms and an end to the rule of religious leadership.