Iran executes two political prisoners

Authorities claimed the pair were members of an armed cell allegedly affiliated with the MEK and had carried out multiple attacks and explosions across Tehran under the direction of external handlers.

Montazer was described as a key figure in the group, accused of organizing operations and securing safe houses used by the cell. Prosecutors said these locations were used to store equipment and manufacture improvised explosive devices and launcher systems.

IRIB added that the group financed its activities through funds transferred via cryptocurrency. The safe houses rented by Montazer were allegedly used as workshops for assembling weapons and explosives.

Bani Amerian, meanwhile, was arrested alongside Montazer while allegedly preparing to launch an attack. Authorities said they were detained in possession of four launcher devices at the time of their arrest.

Both men were also accused of engaging in propaganda and disruptive activities in support of the MEK, as well as participating in attacks on various locations in Tehran. 

The development comes amid ongoing US-Israel war against Iran. 

According to IRIB, investigators recovered equipment related to explosives production, along with surveillance footage and what authorities described as confessions by the accused.

Iran’s judiciary charged the men with armed rebellion, membership in an anti-state group, collusion against national security, and involvement in acts aimed at overthrowing the government.

Following trial proceedings and review of evidence, the court found both defendants guilty and sentenced them to death.

Iran frequently announces arrests and executions of individuals accused of links to opposition groups it designates as terrorist organizations, including the MEK.

The latest figures released by the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) indicate that at least 1,607 civilians, including 244 children, have been killed in Iran since the start of the US-Israel attacks, alongside 1,213 military personnel. The data also shows that 711 additional fatalities have yet to be identified as either civilian or military, highlighting ongoing challenges in verifying the full human cost of the conflict.

This is not the first time Iran hangs political prisoners. Many others have been executed since the Iran war began on February 28. 

Amir Hossein Hatamai, 19, was detained during the January protest by agents of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and was forced to make televised confessions under duress. He was executed on Thursday.

The authorities said that during the protests which they refer to as ‘riots’, Hatami and six others were trying to seize small arms from a Basij base armory in East Tehran on January 8.  IRGC’s Tasnim news said that Hatami had made a confession that his aim was to overthrow the regime. 

The protest which started in late December led to the killing of thousands of protesters by the Islamic Republic security forces in particular on January 8, and 9 when Tehran decided to confront the protesters with lethal force. Body bags scattered in a morgue in southeast Tehran shocked the world. 

Over 25,000 protesters were detained during the crackdown with the authorities describing them as agents of Israel and the US and vowed to avenge the blood of the members of the security forces killed during the protest. 

The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran said on Friday that she was “concerned” about Amerian and Montazer “who are reportedly at risk of execution.”

“The ongoing internet shutdown makes independent monitoring extremely difficult. I call on the authorities to immediately halt all executions during this extremely difficult period and allow families access to those who are detained,” Mai Sato said on X.