Anti-State Offences, Protest Charges: Iran Quietly Executed Nearly 50 Political Prisoners This Year
Anti-State Offences, Protest Charges: Iran Quietly Executed Nearly 50 Political Prisoners This Year Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 10:34 IST According to the
Anti-State Offences, Protest Charges: Iran Quietly Executed Nearly 50 Political Prisoners This Year Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 10:34 IST According to the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 47 political prisoners have been executed this year, compared with 16 during the corresponding period in 2025. Rapid Read Human rights organizations said that many of those executed were accused of offences linked to political activism, participation in protests or alleged threats to state security. Iran executed at least 47 political prisoners so far in 2026, nearly three times the number recorded during the same period last year, according to rights groups, raising fresh concerns about a widening crackdown on dissent in the Islamic Republic. The surge in executions comes as Iran continues to prosecute political activists, protesters and government critics on charges ranging from anti-state activities to the capital offence of “corruption on Earth" (fesad fil arz), a broad legal provision often used in cases involving national security and political opposition. According to the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 47 political prisoners have been executed this year, compared with 16 during the corresponding period in 2025.
The latest execution to draw condemnation from rights groups was that of Mohammad Amini Dehaghani, who was arrested after participating in protests and later sentenced to death. IHR alleged that he was convicted following an unfair trial, a claim Iranian authorities have not publicly addressed. Charges Linked To Dissent Human rights organizations said that many of those executed were accused of offences linked to political activism, participation in protests or alleged threats to state security. Among those currently facing execution are brothers Hadi Nikbakht, 45, and Fazlollah Nikbakht, 50, who were arrested in October 2025. Rights groups said that the pair had long been politically active and had supported calls for political reform before being sentenced to death on charges of “corruption on Earth". The charge carries the death penalty under Iranian law and has frequently been used against individuals accused of undermining state authority, participating in anti-government activities or threatening national security. Iranian authorities maintain that convictions are based on evidence reviewed through the country’s judicial system and that defendants are afforded due process.
Rights groups, however, questioned the fairness of several recent cases. Organizations monitoring Iran’s human rights record alleged that a number of political prisoners were convicted on the basis of confessions obtained under torture, prolonged solitary confinement and restricted access to lawyers of their choice. Among the cases cited by activists are Nasser Bakerzadeh, 26, and Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, 28, who were executed earlier this year after being convicted on security-related charges. According to human rights groups, both men later retracted confessions that had been broadcast by Iranian state media, claiming they had been coerced into making false statements while in detention. Iran has consistently denied allegations that confessions are extracted through torture and maintains that its courts operate in accordance with the law. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What is the "corruption on Earth" charge in Iran? The charge of "corruption on Earth" (fesad fil arz) in Iran is a broad legal provision often used in cases involving national security and political opposition.
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