A 26-year-old Iranian man, Erfan Soltani, who was arrested amid the recent wave of anti-government protests, has reportedly been released on bail after facing what was initially reported as a death sentence. His arrest on January 8 in the city of Fardis coincided with widespread protests against the Iranian authorities, prompting a violent crackdown.
According to the Norway-based Kurdish human rights group Hengaw, officials had notified Soltani's family that he could be executed within days. However, Iranian judiciary denied the claims indicating he faced only security-related charges that could carry prison terms.
Soltani's lawyer, Amir Mousakhani, confirmed his release on bail, saying he was allowed to reclaim his personal belongings, including his cellphone. The bail was set at around $12,600. Hengaw and local media sources reiterated the news of his release, which drew global attention due to the severity of his charges.
His case gained prominence as reports surfaced about the rapid judicial processes in Iran, with claims that a death sentence was handed down within two days of his arrest. During this period, various international figures, including former US President Donald Trump, condemned any potential executions in Iran.
Reports of violence have intensified in Iran amid ongoing protests, with organizations like the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency stating over 6,300 individuals have lost their lives since the unrest began in December. Furthermore, estimates from the Norway-based Iran Human Rights indicate that the final toll could exceed 25,000 as various groups continue to investigate reported deaths arising from state violence against protesters.
Citing these agendas, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused protesters of attacking government institutions, defining the unrest as a major threat to national stability.
