Iran executes protester Alireza Sepahi hours after prison wedding

Iranian authorities executed 25-year-old Alireza Sepahi in Isfahan on October 5. The execution occurred just hours after Sepahi married his fiancée, Mahshad Kashani, in a ceremony conducted via telephone by their lawyer. Kashani, 22, was also being held in prison in connection with protests against the Iranian government.

Sepahi was arrested following protests in Isfahan's Alikhani Square on January 8. Authorities accused him and 21-year-old Alireza Raissi of involvement in an incident that killed four police officers, leading to convictions for membership in an armed group and endangering national security. However, rights groups, including the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, have alleged serious procedural flaws, noting that evidence suggested Sepahi was not present at the scene of the incident.

Sepahi had previously avoided execution in July after suffering a heart attack while being prepared for the gallows. According to Iran Human Rights, Iran has executed 34 people in connection with the protests that peaked in early January.