The official media outlet of the Iranian Judiciary announced the execution of Ghaem Hosseini on Thursday morning. State media previously identified the young protester, also known as Arian, as a foreign national involved in the unrest. Furthermore, judicial authorities linked Hosseini directly to the high-profile Alikhani Square demonstration in Isfahan. Consequently, his execution brings the total number of defendants executed in this specific case to five.
According to official judicial statements, prosecutors charged Hosseini with drawing a weapon and inciting widespread public terror. Additionally, authorities accused him of undermining national security and causing extensive physical harm and property damage. State prosecutors claimed that the defendant confessed to participating in local demonstrations while carrying a cold weapon. Subsequently, the Supreme Court reviewed the original death sentence and upheld the ruling on appeal.
Judicial authorities carried out the death sentences of four other co-defendants linked to the same case. Specifically, state executioners hanged Abolfazl Sepahi, Amirhossein Safari, Erfan Esfandiari, and Gol-Mohammad Mohammadi in recent weeks. Meanwhile, three additional defendants, including Shervin Bagherian, Amirhossein Maleki, and Alireza Sepahi, face potential execution. The broader group faced a collective trial following the deaths of four security personnel during January clashes.
State media reported that four officers were dispatched to contain escalating street demonstrations in Isfahan. Official accounts maintain that protesters surrounded and killed the security personnel during the confrontations. Nevertheless, international human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the judicial proceedings for failing to meet basic fair-trial standards. Furthermore, United Nations experts have previously urged Iranian authorities to halt all pending death sentences immediately.
Human rights observers have noted a significant increase in executions across various Iranian prisons. Authorities have increased the use of capital punishment following the outbreak of military hostilities involving external forces. Consequently, courts have routinely issued death sentences under broad charges involving espionage or collaboration with foreign enemies. Ultimately, rights groups have expressed deep concern for dozens of remaining political detainees facing potential execution.