Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - An Iranian man detained in connection with anti-government protests and reportedly sentenced to death has been released on bail, according to a human rights group and Iranian state media.
Erfan Soltani, 26, was arrested last month as demonstrations
swept across Iran and authorities launched a violent crackdown. He was detained
on January 10 at his home in Fardis, a city about 25 miles west of Tehran, and
charged with “assembly and collusion against the country’s internal security”
as well as “propaganda activities” against the regime, according to state
broadcaster IRIB.
After his arrest, the US State Department and one of
Soltani’s relatives said Iranian authorities were planning to execute him.
Iran’s judiciary dismissed those claims as “fabricated news,” according to
IRIB. Soltani’s family later said his execution had been postponed.
US President Donald Trump said he had received assurances
“on good authority” that there was no plan to carry out executions in Iran amid
growing concern over Soltani’s fate. Trump has warned Iran against executing
protesters, saying the US would “take strong action” if it happened.
On Saturday, Soltani was released on bail, according to
Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights organization. Iranian state media outlet
Press TV also confirmed his release in a post on Telegram.
Soltani’s case became one of the most high-profile
internationally during the widespread anti-government protests that convulsed
Iran last month. Security forces responded with a brutal crackdown, along with
a prolonged nationwide internet shutdown.
Earlier reports said Soltani was in good physical condition
and had been able to meet with his family. A relative described him as an
“incredibly kind and warm-hearted young man” who has “always fought for the
freedom of Iran.”
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News
Agency, more than 6,400 protesters have been killed and over 1,000 arrested
since the demonstrations began, with an additional 11,280 deaths under review.
These figures could not be independently verified.
Despite the internet blackout, details of the crackdown
continued to emerge through accounts from witnesses, human rights activists and
medical professionals, who reported widespread violence against protesters by
security forces.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has
acknowledged that thousands were killed during more than two weeks of unrest,
but blamed some of the deaths on Trump, accusing him of openly encouraging
protesters by promising US military support.
During the protests, Trump urged Iranians to continue
demonstrating and “take over” state institutions, saying help was on the way.
No military intervention followed, but tensions have since escalated.
Trump has warned Iran to return to negotiations over its
nuclear and ballistic missile programs, threatening further US strikes if talks
fail. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said he is confident a deal
can be reached, while Khamenei has warned that any US attack would trigger a
strong regional response.
Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world and
has previously carried out executions of protesters following periods of
widespread unrest.
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