Five More Protesters Sentenced to Death in Central Iran Over January Uprising

What happened

Iran International reports that five protesters arrested in Mahallat, central Iran, in connection with the January uprising have been sentenced to death on charges of 'enmity against God,' sources familiar with the cases told the outlet. The individuals named are Erfan Khalili, Ali-Akbar Mahlooji, Hesam Issaei, Hossein Shokouhi, and Abolghasem Kazem-Aslani, currently held in Arak prison with a 10-day window to appeal the verdicts.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The sentencing coincides with the death sentence handed to political prisoner Arghavan Fallahi, aged 24, charged with 'baghi' (armed rebellion) and alleged involvement in anti-government groups including links to the exile opposition group Mojahedin-e-Khalq, according to the US-based HRANA news agency. Judge Abolghasem Salavati of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court pronounced several politically sensitive death sentences in this period.

Other death sentences involve Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli, arrested in Tehran with charges ranging from mosque attacks with Molotov cocktails to espionage allegations including cooperation with Israel. These developments occur amid reports from human rights organizations that Iran's executions have surged to at least 1,639 in 2025, a 68% increase from 2024 and the highest since 1989, reflecting a harsh government crackdown following nationwide protests and regional conflict tensions.

Known from the source

• Five protesters arrested in Mahallat, Iran, in connection with the January uprising have been sentenced to death for 'enmity against God', held in Arak prison.
• Their names are Erfan Khalili, Ali-Akbar Mahlooji, Hesam Issaei, Hossein Shokouhi, and Abolghasem Kazem-Aslani.
• Prisoners have 10 days to appeal the death sentences.
• Arghavan Fallahi was sentenced to death on charges including armed rebellion by Tehran's Revolutionary Court.
• Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli also received death sentences with associated lengthy prison terms.

What remains unclear

The broader security context includes claims by UK authorities that attacks on Iranian dissidents and Persian-language journalists abroad, including a recent attack on Zeraati in the UK, have been orchestrated or sponsored by the Iranian state. UK officials emphasize an escalation in hostile activities and use of proxies authorized by foreign states, increasing regional and international security concerns.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of the death sentences and the exact charges for the Mahallat protesters. Confirmation of the appeals process timeline and access. Verification of the connection of Arghavan Fallahi and others to opposition groups and armed activities beyond HRANA sourcing.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Iran International. Open the source.