Iran Executes Three Men Over January Protest Killings Amid Ongoing Concerns About Due Process
Iran’s judiciary has carried out the execution of Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi, and Saeed Davoudi, three individuals arrested in connection with violence during protests on January 8, 2026 (18 Dey 1404) in the city of Qom. According to official accounts released by the judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency, the three men were convicted of involvement in the killing of two police officers - Mohammad Ghasemi Hamapour and Abbas Asadi - in separate incidents at Nokouei Intersection and Nabovat Square. Authorities stated that the attacks were carried out using “cold” or bladed weapons during what they described as “illegal gatherings.”
The judiciary announced that the defendants were charged with “moharebeh” (enmity against God) and that their death sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court before being carried out in Qom following final legal authorization. Officials further alleged that the individuals had engaged in actions “in favor of Israel and the United States” and had attempted to incite unrest aimed at undermining national security.
Iranian authorities emphasized that the case went through what they described as a complete legal process, including investigation, trial proceedings, and review by the Supreme Court, with both appointed and court-assigned defense lawyers involved. However, cases of this nature - particularly those linked to protest activity - have consistently drawn serious concerns regarding due process and transparency. Legal observers and rights groups have long questioned whether defendants in such cases receive full access to independent legal representation, whether proceedings are conducted openly, and whether evidence - especially confessions - is obtained under conditions that meet international legal standards.
These concerns are not new but have intensified since the nationwide protests that began in late 2022, after which the use of capital punishment in Iran has reportedly increased, including in cases framed as threats to national security. Reports in recent years have pointed to expedited judicial procedures, limited public oversight, and the use of broadly defined charges such as “moharebeh,” which can carry the death penalty.
In the case of the three executions in Qom, the combination of serious charges, rapid judicial progression, and limited publicly available details about the proceedings has reinforced ongoing questions about the fairness and proportionality of such outcomes. While authorities present the executions as a necessary response to violence against law enforcement personnel, with killings of government-affiliated personnel reportedly numbering 214 amid the January protests according to human rights monitors, critics argue that the application of the death penalty in protest-related cases risks prioritizing deterrence and control over transparent justice.
The executions also come amid a broader environment shaped by heightened internal tensions and external conflict dynamics, where Iranian authorities have increasingly framed domestic unrest within a narrative of foreign involvement and national security threats. This framing has been accompanied by a more securitized judicial response, particularly in cases involving alleged violence during protests. Overall, the case reflects the continuing intersection of protest activity, security policy, and judicial enforcement in Iran, where the use of capital punishment—especially under charges such as moharebeh—remains highly controversial and raises enduring concerns about due process, legal standards, and the role of the judiciary in politically sensitive cases.