Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old Iranian man who was reportedly sentenced to death in connection with anti-government protests last month, has been released on bail, according to reports. Soltani was arrested on January 8 in Fardis, a city located just west of Tehran, amidst widespread protests that sparked a severe crackdown by Iranian authorities.
His family had allegedly been informed of his impending execution within days of his arrest, as per claims by the Norway-based Kurdish human rights group Hengaw. However, the Iranian judiciary denied these allegations, asserting that Soltani was facing security-related charges that typically carry prison sentences rather than capital punishment.
Amir Mousakhani, Soltani's lawyer, confirmed to AFP that his client was released on bail following payment of two billion tomans (about $12,600 or £9,200) and that he retrieved his belongings, including his phone. Reports from Hengaw and Iranian media outlets also corroborated Soltani's release.
The news of Soltani's arrest and the threat of execution caught global attention, particularly when reports emerged of a swift judicial process leading to a death sentence within just two days. A relative of Soltani previously shared with BBC Persian that the legal proceedings had been alarmingly expedited.
Concerns around human rights violations in Iran were further fueled by US President Donald Trump's previous warnings against executions. Iranian officials have vehemently dismissed media narratives that portrayed Soltani's case as a potential execution, labeling them as fabrications.
Ultimately, the Iranian government has faced significant backlash internationally regarding its treatment of detainees during the unrest that has claimed thousands of lives since late December, with estimates of deaths now reaching over 6,300 according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, and predictions of the final toll possibly exceeding 25,000.
In remarks made after Soltani's release, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the protesters, alleging attacks on police and state properties. As tensions continue to escalate, the world watches closely, forecasting the impact of these turbulent events on Iran's social and political landscape.
His family had allegedly been informed of his impending execution within days of his arrest, as per claims by the Norway-based Kurdish human rights group Hengaw. However, the Iranian judiciary denied these allegations, asserting that Soltani was facing security-related charges that typically carry prison sentences rather than capital punishment.
Amir Mousakhani, Soltani's lawyer, confirmed to AFP that his client was released on bail following payment of two billion tomans (about $12,600 or £9,200) and that he retrieved his belongings, including his phone. Reports from Hengaw and Iranian media outlets also corroborated Soltani's release.
The news of Soltani's arrest and the threat of execution caught global attention, particularly when reports emerged of a swift judicial process leading to a death sentence within just two days. A relative of Soltani previously shared with BBC Persian that the legal proceedings had been alarmingly expedited.
Concerns around human rights violations in Iran were further fueled by US President Donald Trump's previous warnings against executions. Iranian officials have vehemently dismissed media narratives that portrayed Soltani's case as a potential execution, labeling them as fabrications.
Ultimately, the Iranian government has faced significant backlash internationally regarding its treatment of detainees during the unrest that has claimed thousands of lives since late December, with estimates of deaths now reaching over 6,300 according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, and predictions of the final toll possibly exceeding 25,000.
In remarks made after Soltani's release, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the protesters, alleging attacks on police and state properties. As tensions continue to escalate, the world watches closely, forecasting the impact of these turbulent events on Iran's social and political landscape.
