HRANA – At dawn today, Thursday, April 30, 2026, Sasan Azadvar Junaqani, one of those detained during the January 2026 protests, was executed in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The death sentence against this prisoner had previously been issued on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh) and was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court.
The execution of Sasan Azadvar Junaqani, a 21-year-old athlete from Isfahan who had been arrested during the nationwide protests of January last year, was carried out early this morning, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Dastgerd Prison. A source close to the family told HRANA that only 10 relatives were allowed to attend his burial ceremony. According to this source, the funeral took place at noon under heavy security, and his body was laid to rest.
This sentence, initially issued at the trial stage on the charge of “enmity against God,” had recently been confirmed by the Supreme Court.
On Tuesday, the prisoner’s family had been summoned to the prison and met with him. One relative described this meeting in an interview with a HRANA journalist as a “final visit.”
Sasan Azadvar Junaqani was arrested on January 1, 2026, during nationwide protests in Isfahan. He was later tried in March 2026 by Branch One of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Seyed Mahmoud Kazemzadeh, with advisor Mohammad Vakili.
On March 17, 2026, his verdict was issued. He was sentenced to death on charges of moharebeh, including:
(a) effectively inciting military forces to desert and refuse to carry out their duties during unrest with the intent to oppose the regime and overthrow the government;
(b) destruction of public property and disruption of public order.
He was also sentenced to 15 months in prison for “propaganda against the system,” 7 years in prison for “inciting or provoking people to engage in war and killing one another with the intent to disrupt national security,” including encouraging unrest in public and online spaces, 25 months in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader.
Sasan Azadvar Junaqani, 21, is a karate athlete and a resident of Isfahan.
It should be noted that following the onset of military conflict between the United States–Israel and Iran on February 28, 2026, the issuance and implementation of death sentences against prisoners facing political and security-related charges have intensified, driven by an expedited judicial process.
It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.
