The regime’s judicial authorities report thousands of protest-related cases, while human rights groups warn of mass arrests, political executions, and an expanding campaign of repression across Iran.
Regime Expands Judicial Crackdown Following Nationwide January Protests
Iranian regime judicial authorities have disclosed new details about a sweeping crackdown on participants in the January 2026 nationwide protests, revealing that thousands of judicial cases have been opened across multiple provinces as the regime intensifies efforts to suppress dissent.
Officials in Sistan and Baluchestan, Qazvin, Mazandaran, Zanjan, and West Azerbaijan provinces have collectively reported more than 2,500 legal proceedings related to the January protests, as well as cases connected to the recent conflict involving the United States, Israel, and the Iranian regime.
The disclosures provide a rare glimpse into the scale of the regime’s ongoing repression campaign, which has included mass arrests, security prosecutions, allegations of espionage, property confiscations, and the increasing use of capital punishment.
Hundreds Convicted in Sistan and Baluchestan
Mehdi Shamsabadi, the regime’s prosecutor in Zahedan, announced that courts have already issued verdicts against 111 individuals arrested during the January protests.
According to Shamsabadi, some of the sentences have already been carried out, while additional cases remain under judicial review. He also stated that indictments have been issued against individuals accused in cases linked to the recent military conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
However, authorities provided no information regarding the identities of the defendants, the nature of the charges, or the sentences imposed.
Serious Charges Filed Against Protesters in Qazvin
In Qazvin province, Prosecutor Asghar Askari confirmed that judicial proceedings continue against citizens detained during the January demonstrations.
The charges reportedly include “assembly and collusion against national security,” “intentional murder,” and “destruction of property with the intention of confronting the regime.”
Askari further stated that some defendants face accusations of involvement in incidents that led to fatalities, while others have been charged with “corruption on earth,” one of the most serious offenses under Iran’s penal code and a charge frequently used against political opponents.
Despite outlining the accusations, officials again declined to disclose the number of detainees, their identities, or their locations.
Mazandaran Authorities Report Hundreds of Cases
The scale of repression appears particularly extensive in Mazandaran province.
Ali Akbar Alishah, the prosecutor of Sari, announced that approximately 700 judicial cases were opened in connection with last year’s protests. Of these, 450 have reportedly been referred to Revolutionary Courts following the issuance of indictments.
Some of the defendants face charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh), an accusation that can carry the death penalty.
Alishah also revealed that authorities, working alongside the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Ministry of Intelligence, and police forces, had identified 139 individuals allegedly linked to what he described as “hostile governments.”
According to the prosecutor, many of those targeted are Iranians residing in Europe who have publicly opposed the regime. He added that efforts are underway to identify and seize their assets.
The official also referenced Iran’s recently enacted law on the “Intensification of Punishment for Espionage,” noting that some offenses under the legislation can result in execution and confiscation of property.
Property Confiscations Expand in Zanjan
Judicial authorities in Zanjan reported dozens of cases related to the recent conflict with Israel and the United States, along with more than 1,000 protest-related files opened during the January unrest.
Ali Faraji-Barhaq, head of the province’s judiciary, said that 65 war-related cases are currently under review.
He further disclosed the opening of 92 separate cases aimed at identifying and confiscating the assets of individuals accused of cooperating with Israel. Fourteen of those cases have already been referred to courts responsible for authorizing property seizures in favor of the state.
Faraji-Barhaq also stated that some protest-related cases have already resulted in final verdicts, while others have been sent to the Supreme Court for further review.
Hundreds Arrested in West Azerbaijan
In West Azerbaijan province, judicial officials reported the detention of 480 individuals during the recent conflict period.
According to Nasser Atabati, head of the provincial judiciary, ten detainees were identified as alleged Mossad operatives and have already received judicial sentences.
Atabati also confirmed that three individuals accused of spying for Israel were executed after completing judicial proceedings.
The executions reflect a broader pattern of increasingly severe punishments under newly expanded national security legislation.
Judiciary Chief Orders Tougher Measures
The latest disclosures follow directives issued by the regime’s Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei after military strikes against Iran.
Mohseni-Ejei publicly ordered the seizure of assets belonging to individuals accused of “cooperating with the enemy” and warned that those found guilty could face severe punishments, including execution.
His remarks signaled the regime’s determination to use both the judicial system and security apparatus to deter dissent during a period of heightened domestic and international tensions.
Thousands Prosecuted Under New Espionage Law
The new figures come on top of statistics previously released by judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir.
On June 8, Jahangir announced that judicial authorities had prosecuted 3,121 individuals and arrested 2,406 people in cases related to alleged espionage and cooperation with Israel.
Those prosecutions have been carried out under the recently adopted law intensifying punishments for espionage-related offenses, legislation that authorizes both capital punishment and asset confiscation for a broad range of charges.
Jahangir had earlier disclosed that by February 2026, authorities had already issued more than 10,000 prosecution orders and approximately 9,000 indictments against individuals detained during the January protests.
Human Rights Groups Warn of Massive Repression
Human rights organizations paint an even darker picture of the scale of the crackdown.
According to estimates by rights groups, more than 60,000 people were arrested during and after the January protests. Independent sources have suggested that over 100,000 individuals may have been summoned, detained, interrogated, or subjected to other forms of security pressure in connection with the demonstrations.
The regime has simultaneously intensified the use of executions.
Since March 17, 2026, Iranian authorities have executed at least 44 political prisoners, while hundreds more have reportedly received death sentences, lengthy prison terms, or orders for the confiscation of their assets.
Fears Grow Over Accelerated Trials and Death Sentences
The continuing issuance of indictments, expansion of national security cases, and public threats of rapid implementation of sentences have fueled growing concerns among human rights advocates.
Observers warn that defendants in many of the newly opened cases may face rushed judicial proceedings, limited access to legal representation, politically motivated charges, and the increasing risk of death sentences.
As the regime seeks to contain the political fallout from the January uprising and growing domestic unrest, the latest figures suggest that Iran’s judiciary has become one of the principal instruments of an expanding campaign of repression aimed at silencing opposition and deterring future protests.
