As concerns grow over the fate of those arrested during the recent protests and the sentences issued against them, news of the imminent execution of a young protester named “Erfan Soltani” has sparked a wave of widespread reactions and alarm.
According to information published on social media, Erfan Soltani has been denied access to a lawyer, and no charges have so far been formally communicated to him. No court session has been held to review his case. Erfan’s family has been warned that any public disclosure or stance regarding the case could lead to the arrest of other family members.
It is said that Erfan Soltani was arrested on Thursday, January eight, and was scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, January 14.
Lordegan, January 7, 2026: The Iranian regime uses live ammunition to suppress protesters#IranProt #FreeIran2026ests #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/gC8FdKZc2P
— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) January 14, 2026
Erfan’s family has reported that they were informed of the imminent execution of their son within three days, yet what was conveyed to them is inconsistent with any principles of legal due process under the Iranian regime and represents a serious sign of security-driven procedures and the intimidation of families.
According to a source close to the family, the exact details of his arrest remain unclear, and the family has so far received no clear information about the moment he was detained.
Erfan is twenty-seven years old and had previously worked as a clothing shop salesman, but in recent months he had been employed at a private company.
Erfan was arrested on the evening of Thursday, January seven, near his place of residence in the “Fardis area of Karaj,” a city west of Tehran. On Sunday, January 10, after three days of complete lack of information, security agents contacted Erfan Soltani’s family by phone, confirmed his arrest, and announced that his execution sentence had been issued and was to be carried out on Wednesday, January 14. After repeated requests by the family, they were only allowed a ten-minute meeting with Erfan prior to the execution, a meeting that authorities told the family would be their final visit before the sentence was carried out.
Mashhad, January 11, 2026: Iranian regime security forces fire at protesters#IranProt #FreeIran2026ests #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/08jZTQxk9R
— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) January 14, 2026
Erfan’s family is under the most severe threats and has been warned to refrain from any form of information sharing or speaking about the case. Even one of Erfan’s close relatives, who is a licensed attorney, sought to review the case and assume Erfan’s legal defense but was barred from entering the case and threatened by security agents. Security officials told this lawyer that there was no case to review, stating that they had announced that anyone arrested during the protests would be sentenced to death and that Erfan’s sentence, issued under the charge of moharebeh, was final and would be carried out.
It is said that prior to his arrest, Erfan had received threatening messages from security sources, yet he continued to emphasize his struggle and activities and took part in the protests. He had informed his family that he was under surveillance and, despite the threats, had not retreated from his positions.
