'Don't Forget Me': Iran Executes 20-Year-Old Protester Convicted Of 'Waging War Against God'

Published 2 August 2026 · india

'Don't Forget Me': Iran Executes 20-Year-Old Protester Convicted Of 'Waging War Against God' Published By, Last Updated: August 02, 2026, 08:30 IST In a final

'Don't Forget Me': Iran Executes 20-Year-Old Protester Convicted Of 'Waging War Against God' Published By, Last Updated: August 02, 2026, 08:30 IST In a final conversation with his family, Arvin Kheirkhah reportedly said, "Don't let them forget me. We stood up for the liberation of our homeland." Arvin Kheirkhah was arrested during the January demonstrations. Iran executed 20-year-old protester Arvin Kheirkhah at Shahroud prison, according to Iran International, amid growing concerns that several other detainees arrested during the January protests could also face execution. Arvin Kheirkhah was arrested during the January demonstrations and sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court on charges including moharebeh, or “waging war against God." He was moved to solitary confinement on Wednesday ahead of his execution.

According to Iran International, Arvin Kheirkhah’s family gathered outside Shahroud prison on Friday night in a last-ditch attempt to stop the execution. In a final conversation with his family, Arvin Kheirkhah reportedly said, “Don’t let them forget me. We stood up for the liberation of our homeland. Don’t let the path we chose be silenced." Iran’s former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi condemned the execution, warning that several other detainees were also at risk of being put to death. He identified Javad Ajam, Morteza Zamani, Mehdi Ranjar, Farshid Rahmani, Alireza Sagheri and Pouya Sagheri as among those facing possible execution. Arvin Kheirkhah’s execution came days after Iran publicly hanged two young protesters, Amirhossein Safari and Abolfazl Sepahi, in Isfahan’s Alikhani Square under heavy security.

The two were among 12 young men sentenced to death in connection with the January protests. Earlier, Golmohammad Mohammadi and Erfan Esfandiari were executed on July 19, taking the number of executions in the Alikhani Square case to four. Eight others remain on death row. The executions have drawn international criticism. United Nations experts urged Iran to halt the death sentences, citing concerns over alleged fair trial violations, closed-door hearings and the reported use of confessions broadcast on state television. Among those still facing execution is Shervin Bagherian Jebeli, who had turned 18 only days before his arrest, according to the UN experts. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Iran First Published: August 02, 2026, 08:30 IST News world 'Don't Forget Me': Iran Executes 20-Year-Old Protester Convicted Of 'Waging War Against God' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.