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Who is Erfan Soltani, the first Iranian to be executed for anti-Khamenei protests?

Authorities in Iran are set to hold the first execution tied to the massive protests being held across the country. The man to face the noose is 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who has been accused of 'waging war against God'

Erfan Soltani will be the first person to be executed by hanging in Iran amid anti-Khamenei protests. Image Courtesy: @sarahraviani/X

FP Explainers|Jan 13, 2026, 11:36:05 IST

The protests in Iran continue unabated, with more than 650 people having lost their lives and over 10,000 others being detained. Now, the country is gearing up for its first execution in connection with the protests.

Erfan Soltani is reportedly set to be executed after being arrested during demonstrations earlier this month. The 26-year-old was detained on January 8 while participating in protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The protests that broke out on December 28 over the failing economy has quickly snowballed into anti-government demonstrations. Experts consider this to be the biggest challenge to Iran's clerical rule since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Who is Erfan Soltani?

Soltani is a resident of Fardis in the Karaj suburb of Tehran.

He was detained on January 8 during the anti-Khamenei protests in Karaj.

The 26-year-old has reportedly been charged with "waging war against God," an offence punishable by death under Iranian law.

According to several media reports, Soltani's family was informed on January 11 that he had been sentenced to death, with his execution reportedly scheduled to take place on January 14.

The report further said that the family was allowed only a brief 10-minute visit with him after sentence was handed down to Soltani.

According to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights and other organisations, Soltani was deprived of fundamental legal rights as soon as he was taken into custody.

He was denied access to legal counsel and even the opportunity to present a defence.

According to Soltani’s family, they were not told why he was arrested or which authority carried out the arrest.

His sister, a licensed lawyer, has been denied access to his case file and prohibited from representing him or challenging the sentence.

The National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFD) claims his “only crime” was calling for freedom, and has appealed for international intervention to stop the execution.

While more than 650 people have been killed during the protests in Iran, Soltani will be the first one to be hanged to death in the current protests.

This case marks a tactical escalation in the protests as Iranian authorities have earlier used lethal force, mainly shootings, to quell dissent. But Soltani's case could be used as an example to instill fear amongst protesters.

Activists and analysts believe this could be the 'first of many' fast-tracked, publicised executions designed to deter further demonstrations.

Iran Human Rights has noted that the death toll in Iran's protests could rise sharply.

Soltani is among the more than 10,000 people reportedly incarcerated by the regime in the last two weeks for taking part in the anti-government protests.

Widespread protests erupted in Iran late last December after the country's currency collapsed, fuelling inflation and further economic distress. Initially sparked in Tehran’s bazaars, the unrest rapidly expanded nationwide as shopkeepers, students and everyday Iranians took to the streets to protest economic distress.