January Protesters Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi Hanged in Semnan
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 16 June 2026: State media reported that Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi, two protesters arrested in connection to the Shahroud protests on 8 January, were executed at an undisclosed location in Semnan province. State media aired their forced confessions alongside the publication of the news.
At least 20 protesters have been executed in relation to the January 2026 protests since 19 March.
Condemning the executions in the strongest terms, IHRNGO calls on the international community to make concerted efforts to stop executions in Iran.
IHRNGO Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam stated: "Like other executions, the execution of these two protesters followed proceedings that failed to meet even the minimum standards of a fair trial and was carried out with the aim of instilling fear in society and preventing future protests.” He added: “Now that an agreement has been reached to end the war, the international community and all governments committed to human rights principles, particularly European countries, must place the human rights situation in Iran and an end to executions high on their agenda.An immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty must be made a central condition for any normalisation of relations between the European Union and the Islamic Republic!"
According to the judiciary’s Mizan News Agency, Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi were hanged at an unspecified location in Semnan province on 16 June 2026. The two men were arrested in connection with the protests in Shahroud on 8 January, though their exact date of arrest has not been disclosed.
Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, the Semnan province Chief Justice stated that the two protesters had “broken equipment and doors at several bank branches, created chaos and riots in front of the governorate, overturned a police vehicle and participated in setting it on fire, attacked homes, destroyed vehicles and carried out other criminal actions aimed at disrupting public order and community security."
Branch 1 of the Shahroud Revolutionary Court sentenced Javad and Abolfazl to death on charges of “destroying and setting fire to public and private property and premises, assembly and collusion against the national and external security of the country, disrupting public order and security, instilling fear and terror in society, carrying and using firearms and cold weapons, moharebeh (enmity against God) through drawing weapons, efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) and inciting and encouraging individuals to participate in riots and organised actions against national security.” All their movable and immovable assets were also confiscated.
According to Akbari, their appeals were rejected and the death sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court.
Javad and Abolfazl’s forced confessions were aired along with news of their executions. In the video, their faces have been blurred and their voices distorted as they describe joining the protests on 8 January and helping to break bank windows.
No information was available about their case prior to their executions.
At least 20 protesters have been executed in relation to the January 2026 protests since 19 March.
More from @ihrights
IHRNGO is building a strong civil society, through empowerment of the citizens, promoting and defending the human rights.
Latest Cartoon
Latest Report
