TEHRAN, June 16 (STL.News) – Iranian authorities executed two men on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, for their alleged involvement as armed leaders during anti-government protests that occurred in January. The state judiciary news outlet Mizan reported that Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi were put to death in the county of Shahrud.
The men faced severe capital charges including Moharebeh, or waging war against God, and Ifsad fil-Ardh, defined as corruption on earth. Judicial officials in Semnan province further accused the defendants of orchestrating a coup attempt, damaging private and public property, and committing crimes against national security.
State media broadcast a 50-second video featuring blurred footage of the men, which officials claimed were forced confessions detailing the destruction of banks and the overturning of a police vehicle. These trials took place within specialized Revolutionary Courts, where reports indicate defendants are frequently denied the right to select their own legal counsel.
These executions arrive amidst an intensifying government crackdown on dissent. According to a United Nations report released on June 15, Iran has executed at least 40 people this year, with 18 of those cases linked directly to the January demonstrations. Independent human rights organizations have consistently condemned these proceedings.
“Independent groups continue to condemn these fast-tracked trials for relying on torture, denial of legal counsel, and coerced confessions,” stated a report monitoring the judicial process.
