HomeAUIranian Protester's Life at Risk Just Days After Arrest

Iranian Protester’s Life at Risk Just Days After Arrest

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Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old man, faces the possibility of execution as soon as tomorrow, according to reports from the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights. This alarming news comes merely six days after Soltani was arrested and taken to one of Iran’s most notorious detention centers.

He was arrested at his home in Fardis, a city west of the capital Tehran on January 8 after taking part in deadly anti-government protests that have spread across the country.
Erfan Soltani was arrested at his home after taking part in a protest last week.
Soltani was arrested at his home after taking part in a protest last week. (X/Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights)
Hengaw, which is based in Norway, estimates more than 2500 people have been killed in the protests, which began just over two weeks ago.
Internet access was cut off in the country by the government, making confirmation of events or the number of people detained or killed difficult.

Following his arrest, Soltani was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison, a facility that the Centre for Human Rights in Iran claims is notorious for its severe violence, torture, and executions. The prison has a dark reputation, raising serious concerns about Soltani’s treatment and the fairness of his sentencing.

A source close to Soltani’s family revealed that they were informed of his death sentence four days post-detention, leaving them shocked and desperate for answers. The judicial process appears to have moved swiftly, with little transparency.

Erfan Soltani has reportedly been denied legal aid, with his family also restricted from visiting him.
Soltani has reportedly been denied legal aid, with his family also restricted from visiting him. (Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights)

Hengaw reported that the authorities have declared the death sentence as final, scheduling the execution for Wednesday, which is Thursday according to Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). This leaves Soltani’s family with a limited window to say their goodbyes.

As the clock ticks down, the family has reportedly been given only a brief opportunity for a final visit, a moment likely filled with heartbreak and urgency as they bid farewell to Soltani.

His sister, who is a licensed lawyer, was prevented from assisting her brother legally, being denied the case file, according to the source.

“Erfan Soltani has been deprived of his most basic rights, including access to legal counsel, the right to defense, and other fundamental due process guarantees,” Hengaw said.

Fires are lit as protesters rally on January 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Demonstrations have been ongoing since December, triggered by soaring inflation and the collapse of the rial, and have expanded into broader demands for political change. (Photo by Anonymous/Getty Images) (Getty)

Trump says ‘help is on the way!’

US President Donald Trump has called on the Iranian people to keep protesting against the current regime.

“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.

“Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS.

US President Donald Trump pledged to help the Iranian protesters, though it is unclear what this may look like.
President Donald Trump pledged to help the Iranian protesters, though it is unclear what this may look like. (AP)

It is unclear what help Trump is proposing to give to protesters in Iran.

Speaking at Andrews Air Force Base, he said the Iranian government needed to show humanity.

“They’ve got a big problem. And I hope they’re not going to be killing people,” he said.

“It would seem to me that they have been badly misbehaving, but that is not confirmed.”

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