Iran executes man accused of firing on police during protests
Iranian authorities have executed a man accused of taking part in nationwide protests at the end of December 2025, amid escalating tensions in the country. Siavasch Jamschidi was executed at dawn, as reported by the judiciary-affiliated Misan News Agency. His execution reflects Iran's continued use of the death penalty in relation to the protests, which saw significant opposition to the economic hardships and authoritarian governance in the country.
The judiciary charged Jamschidi with firing on police during widespread demonstrations and accused him of 'waging war against God', a charge often levelled in political cases. His convictions also included using a firearm and conspiring against national security. Misan reported that cell phone data implicated Jamschidi in multiple instances of unrest and gun use during the protests.
In addition to charges related to the protests, Jamschidi was sentenced for a series of unrelated crimes, including fraud, threats, theft, and possession of a military weapon. The court also held him accountable for further allegations such as complicity in kidnapping, brandishing a weapon for intimidation, and deliberate bodily harm.
This execution occurs against a backdrop of human rights criticisms regarding Iran's deployment of capital punishment. Human Rights groups report that at least 32 men have been executed in the context of the protest crackdown. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO, claimed on social media platform X that over 100 additional protesters are at risk of execution.
The unrest, sparked by Iran's ongoing economic crisis, expanded into broader protests against Iran's ruling establishment, which were met with a severe government crackdown. The violent suppression reportedly resulted in the deaths of thousands of demonstrators, according to international organizations.
International human rights organizations have condemned Iran's use of the death penalty, suggesting it's employed as a tool of political intimidation. They accuse the Iranian authorities of utilizing broad charges such as espionage, national security threats, and blasphemy to justify executions.
In the past year, according to Amnesty International, Iran executed at least 2,159 individuals, marking the highest number recorded since 1981. These figures reflect both general judicial sentences and those connected to the ongoing conflict within Iran, alongside executions of alleged spies and political detainees.