Iran Executes Two Men for Mosque Arson During Tehran Protests

Iran's judiciary confirmed that Mahmad Mohammadi Nia and Ashkan Maleki were hanged after being convicted of deliberately setting fire to the Jafari Mosque in the Koi Nasr district of Tehran. The men were identified as key perpetrators of the December 2023 anti‑government demonstrations, responsible for arson of motorcycles in the mosque courtyard, breaking glass, and igniting the building, which also caused damage to public and religious property and led to clashes with police and security forces.

Both defendants admitted in court that they entered the mosque together, used a petrol‑filled lighter and a blue matchbox to ignite the motorcycles, and helped spread the blaze to the interior of the mosque. Their sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court and carried out after a public hearing.

The executions were presented by officials as a response to actions they described as “operational activities against national security for the Zionist regime and the United States,” underscoring the state's harsh stance on the December protests and related violence.