From mass executions to widespread arrests, Iran faces a deepening human rights catastrophe amid uprising and war
What distinguishes the opening chapter of Iran’s history in 2026 is the eruption of a fiery January uprising—an unprecedented manifestation of public anger against a repressive and anti-human rights regime. Just as this uprising has been unparalleled in scale and intensity, so too has been the level of human rights violations and brutality inflicted upon the population in response.
Images of the uprising’s victims—bodies stacked in warehouses and overflowing morgues—have etched a harrowing yet unmistakable record into Iran’s contemporary history. These scenes are not merely symbolic; they reflect the systemic violence employed to suppress dissent.
In the immediate aftermath of these atrocities, the Iranian people became entangled in a broader war—one that introduced another dimension of human rights violations, not only by the ruling dictatorship but also by external attacking forces. Yet, as this conflict continues in a cyclical pattern, it has once again reverted to its core reality: the regime’s war against its own people. The accelerated execution of political prisoners now stands as a stark expression of this ongoing internal war—one that unfolds daily in Iran’s streets and neighborhoods.
Executions in March
According to available reports, at least eight individuals were executed across various prisons during the month. These include one non-political prisoner, three individuals executed in public (all classified as political prisoners), and a total of seven political prisoners.
Among the most alarming cases were the executions of Saleh Mohammadi, Saeed Davoudi, and Mehdi Ghasemi, carried out on March 18, 2026, in the city of Qom. Accused of killing two security officers, the three had been arrested during the January 2026 uprising. Saleh Mohammadi, just 19 years old, was a promising young wrestler who had recently won a medal in an international freestyle wrestling competition in Russia. He had been detained on January 15, 2026.
On March 30, 2026, three more political prisoners—Akbar Daneshvar Kar, Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, and Pouya Ghobadi—were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison. All were charged with “enmity against God” (baghi) and alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
Akbar Daneshvar Kar, a 58-year-old civil engineer from Tehran, had been arrested in January 2024 and subjected to prolonged detention, interrogation, and trial proceedings that culminated in a death sentence issued by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court. In addition to the death penalty, he had also received lengthy prison sentences on other charges and finally executed on March 30, 2026.
Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, 59, held a degree in graphic design from the University of Tehran and had previously been imprisoned during the 1980s. A long-time supporter of the PMOI, he had faced repeated arrests throughout his life. His most recent detention occurred in February 2024. He was finally executed on March 30, 2026.
Pouya Ghobadi, 34, an electrical engineering graduate, had also endured multiple arrests over the years. His latest detention began in December 2023, during which he reportedly faced torture before being transferred to the general ward of Evin Prison. He was ultimately sentenced to death alongside several other political prisoners and executed on March 31, 2026.
On March 31, 2026, Babak Alipour, a 35-year-old law graduate and political prisoner, was executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison. Alipour had a history of repeated arrests and had previously been sentenced to seven years in prison. During his incarceration, he suffered from serious health conditions, including intestinal infections and prostate disease, yet was reportedly denied adequate medical care.
Mass Arrests
The scale of arrests during this period is equally staggering. At least 2,801 individuals were detained in February alone.
Of these, 2,789 were political arrests—primarily individuals who had participated in the January 2026 uprising. Many were detained in connection with the ongoing war, for the enforcement of prison sentences, or without any clear legal justification.
Additionally, at least 12 individuals from religious minorities, including Baha’is and Christians, were arrested either to serve prison sentences or without any specified charges.
Arbitrary Killings
Reliable statistics on arbitrary killings during the wartime period remain scarce. However, reports confirm that at least two individuals were shot and killed by plainclothes agents and military forces in the cities of Sanandaj and Baneh.
Taken together, these developments present a stark picture of a regime increasingly reliant on repression to maintain control. The convergence of uprising, war, and systematic human rights violations underscores a critical juncture in Iran’s modern history—one that demands urgent international attention and accountability.
