Iran sentences two protesters to death and 20 years in prison

Two individuals detained during the nationwide protests in Iran in early 2026 have received severe sentences from the judiciary.

Amirmohammad Mojallal Choobari, a 22-year-old held at Qezel Hesar Prison, has been sentenced to death. He faced charges including ‘collusion against national security’, ‘disturbing public order through participation in riots’, and ‘attempted murder by running over officers’. He was originally detained in Tehran on January 1, 2026.

Separately, Mohammad Ebrahimi, a painting graduate, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court Branch 26. He was convicted of ‘operational actions for a hostile country against national security’ under espionage laws. Ebrahimi was detained in late January 2026 and is currently serving his sentence at Tehran Great Prison.

The sentences follow widespread protests that began in December 2025, involving merchants, students, and various social groups. According to human rights reports, the crackdown on these demonstrations resulted in thousands of casualties and tens of thousands of arrests.