Erfan Sultani, a 26-year-old individual, is facing the prospect of being executed through hanging following his arrest amid a series of protests against the government, leading to a swift death sentence by an Iranian court.
Erfan, hailing from Fardis near Tehran, was apprehended on January 8 amidst the ongoing demonstrations that have held Iran captive since late December 2025. He has been accused of moharebeh, which translates to “waging war against God,” a grave offense under Iranian legislation that is frequently applied to individuals perceived as threats to the state.
His family endured an agonizing wait to discover his fate, only to be notified that he had been condemned to death, granting them a mere 10-minute farewell opportunity. Concerns have been raised by human rights organizations regarding the speediness of the judicial process, with criticisms from various human rights bodies for the lack of proper legal procedures.
Information suggests that Erfan may have been deprived of legal representation, as his appointed attorney was allegedly barred from accessing his case details. The scheduled date for his execution is today, January 14, escalating the psychological distress faced by Erfan and his close ones as the imminent event looms.
According to criminal psychologist Alex Iszatt, the prosecutors purposefully structure the system to inflict maximum harm and terror on the arrested individuals and their families.
Iszatt elaborates that the abruptness of being informed about imminent death post a flawed legal process results in a severe psychological impact, forcing the brain into an extreme survival mode, oscillating between heightened anxiety and detachment to cope with the overwhelming terror.
The enforced brief farewells, often controlled and scripted, further intensify the trauma for Erfan and his family, stripping them of genuine final moments or expressions, as highlighted by Alex. The suddenness of the announcement and the lack of control over the situation add to the anguish experienced by all involved.
The impending execution of Erfan has sparked widespread outrage both within Iran and globally, with rights organizations denouncing his sentence as a stark illustration of the state’s utilization of the justice system to quell dissent amidst a growing crackdown.
US President Donald Trump has cautioned Iran that the US will respond with force if protestors are executed. The unrest, originating from economic grievances and evolving into anti-government demonstrations, has resulted in a significant number of casualties during the government’s crackdown.
The protests appear to be subsiding, coinciding with reports of internet shutdowns. Several European nations have summoned Iranian diplomats to address the violence, with the UK condemning the brutal treatment of Iranian protestors.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences