Iran using war to cover up executions of political dissidents, activist claims
Iranian activist Sheyda Rahbari says executions of political dissidents are accelerating under Iran’s Islamic regime, as authorities intensify pressure on citizens and issue open threats of arrest and death. She points to the execution of 18-year-old protester Amir Hussein Hamedi as a devastating example of the government’s repression.
An Iranian anti-regime demonstrator was hanged at dawn on Oct. 5 at Isfahan Central Prison—just hours after he married his imprisoned fiancée during a ceremony conducted by telephone from the jail, The Times reported Thursday.
Alireza Sepahi, 25, was executed with his co-defendant, Alireza Raisi. Both had received death sentences for their participation in anti-government protests at Isfahan’s Alikhani Square on Jan. 8, according to Human Rights Iran.
Sepahi and Mahshad Keshani, a 22-year-old student activist, had known and loved one another before they were arrested during anti-regime demonstrations, the report said.
Alireza Sepahi, 25, was executed alongside co-defendant Alireza Raisi after receiving a death sentence for taking part in anti-government demonstrations at Isfahan’s Alikhani Square. (Iran Human Rights)
Keshani, who is serving a five-year prison term, proposed an informal wedding Sunday as concern grew that Sepahi would soon be executed following a final summons to his family.
The couple exchanged their vows by phone from inside Isfahan prison, with both of their fathers taking part.
Human rights attorney Amirsalar Davoudi helped conduct the ceremony, reading the vows for the fathers to approve and bless.
As part of the traditional dowry, Keshani’s family provided a Quran, a piece of saffron rock candy and one red rose.
“It was Mahshad’s idea,” Davoudi told The Times. “Even now, I wonder how one young woman can possess such courage.”
Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
Davoudi said he cautioned Keshani that the decision would be permanent.
“I told her, ‘My dear, you understand that this cannot simply be undone?’” Davoudi recalled.
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“She said, ‘Mr. Davoudi, I love Alireza.’”
When Davoudi delivered Keshani’s proposal to Sepahi, the young prisoner broke down in tears.
“Alireza was crying, and something deeply painful and beautiful happened. Even the prison officers began to cry,” Davoudi said.
The marriage had no legal power to prevent the execution. Sepahi had already survived an earlier scheduled hanging in July after suffering a heart attack while being taken to the gallows. After he regained consciousness, authorities set a new execution date.
On Monday morning, only hours after the couple exchanged vows, Sepahi was hanged.
Iranian security forces escalated from pellet guns to live ammunition during protests. (Getty)
Sepahi was one of seven defendants executed in the Alikhani Square case, which involved 12 men accused of killing four security personnel.
After the hanging, Sepahi’s family was reportedly prevented by authorities from burying their son in his hometown.
Davoudi condemned the Iranian regime’s actions.
“I do not know how to come to terms with this,” Davoudi said.
“The regime is taking revenge on innocent young people for the humiliation it has suffered internationally.”
Human rights groups report Keshani remains in custody, facing additional security charges.
This came as Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), urged U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to take immediate international action to halt executions and the killing of protesters in Iran, citing thousands of executions and decades of impunity for human rights abuses.
In a letter ahead of World Day Against the Death Penalty on Oct. 10, Rajavi called for international accountability, independent investigations and diplomatic and economic pressure on Tehran to end the executions.
