TEHRAN, Oct. 3, 2026 — Iran has executed a man who was detained during the nationwide protests in January after authorities accused him of firing at police and taking part in activities against national security, Iran’s judiciary said on Saturday.
The man, identified as Siavash Jamshidi Kheirabadi, was arrested two days after authorities said he fired at least three shots at police officers on Jan. 8 in the southwestern city of Shahrekord. The judiciary said he was found carrying a handgun when he was arrested.
Iran’s judiciary said Jamshidi was sentenced to death on charges including “moharebeh,” or “waging war against God,” after allegedly using a firearm against security forces. He was also accused of conspiracy and collusion against national security.
According to Iran’s state judiciary, Jamshidi was also convicted of several offenses unrelated to the protests, including fraud, threats, theft and possession and carrying of an illegal military-grade weapon. Other accusations included complicity in kidnapping, using a weapon to intimidate others and intentionally causing bodily harm.
The judiciary said Jamshidi had been active during the demonstrations and had contacted people online to organize what authorities described as “anti-security” activities. It also alleged that he had sought payment for a mission, although the judiciary did not identify who was allegedly behind it.
Protests began over economic hardship
The protests began on Dec. 28, 2025, amid widespread anger over economic hardship and the rising cost of living. They expanded into nationwide demonstrations and intensified in January, with protesters also calling for political change and an end to clerical rule.
Iranian authorities have attributed some of the violence during the unrest to armed groups and foreign-backed operations, including alleged involvement by the United States and Israel. Rights groups and other observers have disputed aspects of the government’s account and have reported that Iranian security forces used lethal force against protesters.
The exact death toll from the protests remains disputed. Iranian authorities have reported more than 3,000 deaths, while rights organizations have reported different figures and accused security forces of excessive use of force.
Executions of protest detainees continue
Jamshidi’s execution comes amid a series of death sentences and executions involving people detained during the protests.
Human Rights Watch said Iranian authorities announced the executions of 29 people connected to the recent protests between March 18 and the end of August 2026, while warning that additional detainees remained at risk of execution.
Iranian authorities have continued to defend the prosecutions, saying those executed were convicted of serious crimes, including attacks against security forces and offenses threatening national security.
On Oct. 1, Iranian rights monitors also reported that four men detained during the January protests had received death sentences from Tehran Revolutionary Courts. The reported charges included “moharebeh,” conspiracy against national security and alleged activities on behalf of hostile states.
The latest execution is therefore part of a broader wave of legal proceedings against people arrested during the unrest, with Iranian authorities continuing to pursue capital punishment in cases connected to violence and national-security charges.
