More than 70 protesters arrested in connection with the nationwide demonstrations of January 2026 have been sentenced to death in Isfahan Central Prison (Dastgerd), with 26 transferred to solitary confinement and quarantine units ahead of their impending executions.
Iran Human Rights (IHR NGO) reported that among the 31 individuals whose identities have been verified, at least three are Afghan nationals, one of whom was under 18 at the time of the alleged offence. The organisation is also reviewing the status of three additional protesters who may have been minors at the time of their alleged offences.
According to the rights group, inmates in two wards of Isfahan Central Prison began a hunger strike to protest the looming executions but were forced to end it following pressure and threats from prison authorities. Families of the condemned prisoners have similarly faced intense pressure to refrain from publicising information about their cases.
Reports had previously emerged regarding the transfer of 14 individuals sentenced to death in the case known as the “Alikhani Square” trial to solitary confinement in Isfahan Central Prison.
Since March 18, at least 24 protesters linked to the January demonstrations have been executed, at least five of them in Isfahan Central Prison.
