Iran Expands War-Time Executions For Espionage And Protest-Related Offenses
Iran executed Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the judiciary said, condemning him for armed rebellion and membership in the Sunni militant group Ansar al-Furqan.[1]
Mizan Online said Shahbakhsh was convicted over armed attacks on police headquarters in Sistan-Baluchestan and that Iran's Supreme Court upheld his sentence.[1] Rights groups reported Iran carried out at least 1,639 executions in 2025, including 48 women, making it the world's most prolific executioner after China.[1]
On Monday, May 11, Iran executed graduate student Erfan Shakourzadeh after convicting him of spying, authorities said.[2] Norway-based monitor Hengaw published a note attributed to Shakourzadeh saying he was arrested on fabricated charges, tortured about eight and a half months, held in solitary, and forced into a false confession.[2]
Since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel in late February 2026, Iran has stepped up executions, especially for alleged espionage and other security offenses.[1] In March 2026 Iran executed three men accused of killing police officers during the 2022-2023 Mahsa Amini protests, including national wrestler Saleh Mohammadi.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Iran executed Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh, whom the judiciary described as a trained member of the Sunni militant group Ansar al-Furqan, on charges of armed rebellion.
- Judicial outlet Mizan Online said Shahbakhsh was convicted of rebellion for armed attacks on police headquarters in Sistan-Baluchestan and of membership in Ansar al-Furqan during the 2022-2023 Mahsa Amini protests, and that his sentence was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court.
- Rights groups Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty reported that Iran carried out at least 1,639 executions in 2025, including 48 women, making it the world’s most prolific executioner after China.
- Since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel in late February 2026, Iran has increased executions — particularly for alleged espionage and other security-related offenses — a pattern that the report links to the May 11 execution of graduate student Erfan Shakourzadeh.
- Norway-based group Hengaw released a note attributed to Erfan Shakourzadeh saying he was arrested on fabricated espionage charges, subjected to about eight and a half months of torture and solitary confinement, and forced into a false confession.
- The report noted that in March 2026 Iran executed three men accused of killing police officers during the Mahsa Amini protests, including national wrestling team member Saleh Mohammadi, underscoring ongoing protest-related capital cases.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Iran executed Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh, whom the judiciary described as a trained member of the Sunni militant group Ansar al-Furqan, on charges of armed rebellion.
- Judicial outlet Mizan Online said Shahbakhsh was convicted of rebellion for armed attacks on police headquarters in Sistan-Baluchestan and membership in Ansar al-Furqan, allegedly during the 2022-2023 Mahsa Amini protest wave; his sentence was upheld by Iran's Supreme Court.
- Rights groups Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty reported that Iran carried out at least 1,639 executions in 2025, including 48 women, making it the world's most prolific executioner after China.
- The article states that since war with the United States and Israel began in late February 2026, Iran has increased executions, particularly those involving alleged espionage or security-related offenses, situating the May 11 execution of graduate student Erfan Shakourzadeh within a broader wartime pattern.
- It reiterates that Norway-based group Hengaw released a note attributed to Shakourzadeh in which he wrote that he was arrested on fabricated espionage charges, subjected to about eight and a half months of torture and solitary confinement, and forced into a false confession.
- The report notes that in March 2026 Iran executed three men accused of killing police officers during the Mahsa Amini protests, including national wrestling team member Saleh Mohammadi, underscoring ongoing protest-related capital cases.