Iran has executed Mehran Bahramian after convicting him of taking part in a deadly attack on security forces during the 2022 nationwide protests. The execution was confirmed on Saturday by the judiciary’s news website, Mizan Online.
Authorities said Bahramian and others opened fire on a vehicle carrying security personnel in Semirom, Isfahan province, on December 31, 2022. The attack killed officer Mohsen Rezaei and left several others injured.
Bahramian was tried in the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan and found guilty of “moharebeh” waging war against God. The court also accused him of encouraging attacks on government buildings and personnel. His death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court and carried out early Saturday morning.
The unrest in which the attack took place began after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who died in police custody in September 2022. She had been detained for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code for women. Her death sparked widespread anger and mass protests across the country.
According to rights groups, hundreds of protesters and members of the security forces were killed, and thousands of demonstrators were arrested. Since then, Iranian courts have issued multiple death sentences linked to the unrest.
In June, the authorities executed Abbas Kurkuri, who was convicted of killing seven people during the same wave of protests.
Iran carries out more executions than any country except China, according to Amnesty International and other rights organizations. Activists have repeatedly criticized the trials of protesters, arguing that they fall short of international standards for fairness and transparency.
The execution of Bahramian highlights the government’s uncompromising approach to dissent, as it continues to warn against renewed unrest.
