Iran Executes More Political Prisoners in 2026 Than Last Year

Iran has executed at least 32 political prisoners since a regional conflict began. This number is already higher than the 45 recorded for all of last year.
By Newsroom | Politics, Iran |

Tehran's state apparatus has noticeably increased its use of capital punishment against individuals on political and security charges, with reports indicating dozens executed in recent months. At least 32 political prisoners have been put to death since a broader regional conflict began, according to Newsclip data, referencing previous year figures. This count surpasses the 45 political executions Amnesty International recorded for the entire prior year, suggesting a sharp escalation in pace. The UN's Human Rights Office expressed apprehension that the figure for the current year could climb even higher.

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Reports from rights organizations like Hengaw describe a grim pattern of state-ordered killings, often under secrecy. Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, held for 42 months, was executed "earlier this month." Sasan Azadvar, 21, a karate champion from Isfahan, was put to death "last month" or on April 30, despite not being accused of any lethal offense, a threshold generally accepted under international law for capital punishment.

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Recent Deaths Under State Order

An extensive tally from IranHumanRights.org details many recent executions:

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  • Sasan Azadvar Junaqani: hanged on April 30.

  • Erfan Kiani: hanged on April 25.

  • Amirali Mirjafari: hanged on April 21.

  • Ali Fahim: hanged on April 6.

  • Shahin Vahedparast: hanged on April 5.

  • Mohammad Amin Biglari: hanged on April 5.

  • Amirhossein Hatami: hanged on April 2.

  • Mehdi Ghasemi: hanged on March 19.

  • Saleh Mohammadi: hanged on March 19.

  • Saeed Davoudi: hanged on March 19.

Others executed, some on alleged membership in the MEK opposition group, include:

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  • Mohammad (Nima) Masoumshahi: hanged on April 30.

  • Hamed Validi: hanged on April 30.

  • Sultan Ali Shirzadi Fakhr: hanged on April 23.

  • Abolhassan Montazer: hanged on April 4.

  • Vahid Bani Amerian: hanged on April 4.

  • Babak Alipour: hanged on March 31.

  • Pouya Ghobadi: hanged on March 31.

  • Ali Akbar Daneshvarkar: hanged on March 30.

  • Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi: hanged on March 30.

Among those targeted, Amer Ramesh, an 18-year-old Baluch political prisoner, was hanged on April 26 for alleged opposition ties. For "espionage-related charges," Mehdi Farid was hanged on April 22, and Kourosh Kivani, an Iranian-Swedish citizen, met the same fate on March 18.

Method and Absence of Official Account

These actions follow accusations of torture and denial of legal counsel, according to sources familiar with individual cases. The BBC states that Iranian authorities offered no response to requests for comment regarding this increased application of the death penalty, nor to claims of prisoner mistreatment. Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) records show more than 50,000 individuals arrested across the country. Reza Younesi, a Uppsala University professor, reported on X the forced removal of 22 prisoners from Ghezel Hesar prison on a recent Sunday night. Families, like that of Shervin Bagherian Jabali in Isfahan, have reportedly learned of death sentences through state television broadcasts.

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Broader Landscape of Crackdown

The intensified executions are perceived by some observers as a tightening grip on internal dissent. Reports suggest this escalation in crackdowns worsened for dissidents "after the U.S. and Israel started the war on the country," as stated by Iranians to ABC News, following President Donald Trump's February remarks. Some of those killed this year faced charges of spying for Israel or the CIA, while others were linked to exiled opposition groups. The UN's Human Rights Office previously warned the death penalty is increasingly wielded to quiet political dissent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why has Iran increased executions of political prisoners in 2026?
Reports suggest Iran's state has significantly increased its use of the death penalty for political and security charges. At least 32 political prisoners have been executed since a regional conflict started, a rise from the previous year.
Q: Who is being executed in Iran and what are the charges?
Political prisoners are being executed, with charges including spying for Israel or the CIA, or alleged membership in opposition groups like the MEK. Some, like Sasan Azadvar, were executed despite not being accused of lethal offenses.
Q: What evidence shows this increase in executions?
Data from Newsclip and Amnesty International indicates a sharp rise in pace compared to the previous year. The UN's Human Rights Office has also expressed concern about the rising figures.
Q: What do human rights groups say about these executions?
Rights organizations like Hengaw and IranHumanRights.org detail a pattern of state-ordered killings, often done in secret. They report accusations of torture and denial of legal counsel for those executed.
Q: Has Iran officially responded to these reports?
Iranian authorities have not responded to requests for comment from news outlets like the BBC regarding the increased application of the death penalty or claims of prisoner mistreatment.