Iran announces execution of two protesters accused of setting police officers on fire

Iran's judiciary announced on Sunday the execution of two men, Erfan Esfandiari and Gol-Mohammadi, who were convicted in relation to anti-government protests. The judiciary stated that the men were found guilty of tying police officers to a road sign, injuring them with stones, dousing them with gasoline, and setting them on fire in the central city of Isfahan.

The indictment also mentioned that the two individuals allegedly filmed the incident and transmitted the footage to foreign television channels. The statement did not provide details on the men's ages, arrest dates, or trial specifics. The protests, initially sparked by economic grievances in late December, evolved into widespread anti-government demonstrations that reportedly peaked in early January.

Iranian authorities reported over 3,000 deaths, attributing the violence to external forces, while international NGOs claim security forces fired on protesters. The period has seen a multiplication of arrests and executions, linked to both ongoing conflicts and earlier protests. According to NGOs Iran Human Rights and ECPM, Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest number since 1989. Amnesty International ranks Iran second globally for executions, after China.