An Iranian shopkeeper detained for participating in anti-government protests remains at serious risk of execution, despite claims by US President Donald Trump that Iran has halted the hanging of protesters, a human rights organisation has warned.
The detainee, Erfan Soltani (26), was arrested last week after taking part in demonstrations and was swiftly tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, according to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, a Norway-based group that monitors rights violations in Iran.
Soltani was initially scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, the Daily Mail reported.
Sentence Postponed, Not Revoked
Following Trump’s warning that the United States would take “very strong action” if Iran proceeded with executions of protesters, Iranian officials reportedly informed Soltani’s family that the execution would not take place. However, Hengaw cautioned that the death sentence has only been postponed, not withdrawn.
“The risk to his life remains extremely high,” said Arina Moradi, a representative of Hengaw, citing sources close to Soltani’s family. “In Iran, executions can be carried out immediately after sentencing, or delayed for months or even years, before being implemented without any warning.”
Detention and Allegations of Torture
Soltani is currently being held at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, a facility long criticised by rights groups for alleged mistreatment of detainees. Moradi warned that torture is a serious concern, particularly for political prisoners.
“Forced confessions are frequently extracted under pressure and later used to justify executions,” she said, adding that such confessions are sometimes relied upon even when charges are later disputed in court or denied by defence lawyers.
Iran’s judiciary has stated that Soltani has been charged with “collusion against the country’s internal security and propaganda activities against the regime.” Officials have claimed that such charges do not carry the death penalty if confirmed through legal proceedings, though rights groups remain sceptical.
Wider Crackdown on Protests
Hengaw stressed that Soltani’s case is part of a broader crackdown on dissent across Iran. According to figures cited by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 2,677 people have been killed since protests began, including 2,478 demonstrators. The total number of detainees has reportedly reached 19,097.
Moradi also highlighted growing pressure on families of detainees and victims, including reports of home raids, confiscation of satellite equipment, and internet shutdowns, which have severely restricted communication. In some cases, families are allegedly forced to pay authorities to retrieve the bodies of relatives who died in custody.
Human rights organisations have urged the international community to maintain pressure on Tehran, warning that temporary pauses or verbal assurances do not guarantee the safety of those facing capital punishment.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.