Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Iran's judiciary denied reports that it planned to execute protester Efran Soltani, whose planned execution drew an international outcry.
Human rights organization Hengaw, based in Norway, said earlier this week that Soltani's family was told he was to be executed on Wednesday. Hengaw said the execution was "postponed" but said there were "serious and ongoing concerns" about his life, the BBC reported.
For 18 days, Iranians have protested the nation's economic crisis, in which they have faced violent opposition from security forces. The regime has created an Internet blackout for nearly seven days, according to the NetBlocks Internet observatory. Human rights activists worry the blackout is to shield the world from Iran's crimes.
According to Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,435 protesters, including 13 children and 153 people affiliated with the security forces or government, have been killed since the protests began. It said another 18,470 protesters have been arrested.
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