Iran Executes Two Men for Leading January Riots

Iran has executed two men convicted of leading acts of sabotage and terror during the foreign-backed riots across the country in January.

Details of the Convictions

According to the Mizan news agency, Mehrdad Mohammadinia and Ashkan Maleki were found guilty of setting fire to a mosque, damaging public property, and violently clashing with law enforcement forces. They were identified as the main perpetrators of an arson attack on the Jafari Mosque in Tehran’s Gisha neighborhood.

Execution

Their death sentences were carried out on June 1, 2026, following the completion of judicial proceedings and final approval by the Supreme Court.

Context

In January, a wave of protests broke out among merchants in Tehran and other cities in Iran due to economic struggles worsened by years of Western sanctions. The Iranian government has attributed these protests to foreign interference and has taken stringent measures against those deemed responsible for inciting violence.

Conclusion

The executions underscore the Iranian government's commitment to maintaining internal security and its zero-tolerance policy towards acts of violence and sabotage.