Iranian man executed for his participation in the January protests

The Iranian judiciary announced on Sunday that Shahram Sadeghi was executed following his conviction for striking several police officers with his vehicle during anti-government protests in January. According to the judiciary's official news outlet, Mizan, the incident occurred on January 8 in Karaj, west of Tehran, resulting in injuries to seven officers. Authorities alleged that the act was carried out in support of the United States and Israel. This execution occurs amid a reported surge in the use of the death penalty in Iran, particularly concerning individuals linked to anti-government demonstrations. The protest movement, which began in late December over the cost of living, escalated into widespread political unrest, peaking on January 8 and 9. Iranian authorities have acknowledged over 3,000 deaths during this period, attributing the violence to terrorist acts orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel. According to Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty, at least 1,639 people were executed in Iran in 2025, marking the highest level of executions since 1989.