Execution of Two Young Protesters in Isfahan’s “Alighani Square” Case

“Amirhosein Maleki” and “Amirhosein Ebrahimi,” two detainees from the December 2025 protests, were executed at dawn on Tuesday, November 3, at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. With the implementation of these sentences, the number of those executed in the case known as the “Alighani Square” case has reached 9 people; a case in which human rights reports regarding torture of defendants and violations of fair trial principles have raised serious questions about the credibility of the judicial process.

The Islamic Republic’s judiciary announced through the Mizan news agency the execution of Amirhosein Maleki and Amirhosein Ebrahimi. These two young men were among those detained during nationwide protests in December 2025 in Isfahan and were defendants in the case known as the “Alighani Square” case; a case linked to the killing of four police and Basij officers during events on December 18.

According to Hengaw’s report as well, the families of these two young men were called to the prison on Monday for a final visit, and their death sentences were carried out at dawn the following day at Isfahan’s central prison, known as Dastgerd Prison.

Amirhosein Ebrahimi was a medical student and Amirhosein Maleki were arrested during December protests in the area of Alighani Square located in Malard, Isfahan. Hengaw reported that Ebrahimi was caught in a crowd while traveling by motorcycle toward his grandmother’s house and was arrested after identification through mobile phone tracking.

This human rights organization also reported that Ebrahimi was subjected to torture—both physical and psychological—during interrogation to extract forced confessions. Iran’s Human Rights Organization also reported in a report on this case torture of defendants and extraction of forced confessions, including pressuring Ebrahimi’s juvenile brother to confess against him. These reports raise serious concerns about the basis for issuing death sentences in this case.

The Islamic Republic’s judicial authorities have convicted these two individuals of charges including “moharebeh” (enmity against God) and “efsad-e fil-arz” (corruption on earth). State media has accused them of involvement in incidents that resulted in the deaths of security personnel; however, a Euronews Farsi report, citing a lawyer of a former defendant in this case, indicates that the charge of killing officers was not explained to the defendants and was not specifically addressed in court. This, along with reports of torture and forced confessions, raises fundamental questions about the transparency and fairness of the judicial process.

With the execution of Maleki and Ebrahimi, the number of those executed in the Alighani Square case has reached 9 out of 12 sentenced to death. As a result, three other convicts in this case continue to face the risk of having their death sentences carried out.

The execution of these two young men once again demonstrates that the Islamic Republic’s judicial system, instead of providing transparent accountability regarding charges, presenting verifiable evidence, and guaranteeing defendants’ right to defense, continues to carry out death sentences. Even if the charges brought against defendants are serious, no charge justifies torture, forced confessions, or depriving individuals of fair trial rights. The right to life and the right to a fair trial must be protected for everyone.

Two young men are no longer alive; their families face an irreplaceable loss, and three other convicts in this case remain at risk of execution. The urgent question is: who will be held accountable for the lives lost in the shadow of controversial trials and death sentences? Halting the execution of remaining sentences, conducting an independent and transparent investigation into torture allegations, and ensuring defendants’ access to independent counsel are immediate necessities.