Sasan Azadvar
Sasan Azadvar was executed by Iranian authorities after being convicted on charges of “moharabeh” (“waging war against God”) and “effective collaboration with the enemy.” According to Iranian state media, the charges were linked to his alleged participation in anti-government protests during the January 2026 uprising, including attacking police forces and damaging a police vehicle.
The 21-year-old was accused of taking part in unrest during the January protests in Iran, which were violently suppressed by security forces. State television broadcast footage that allegedly showed him confessing to using a stick to smash the window of a police car and seeking petrol to burn it. However, the BBC report notes that he was not accused of committing any lethal offence, which human rights groups say falls below the international legal threshold for imposing the death penalty. Rights organizations and UN officials cited his case as part of a broader pattern in which Iran allegedly uses executions to suppress dissent and intimidate opposition movements. Human rights advocates also raised concerns regarding forced confessions, lack of transparency, and politically motivated trials in such cases.
Biography
Sasan Azadvar was a 21-year-old Iranian karate champion from Isfahan who became one of the young protesters executed following Iran’s January 2026 unrest. His execution drew international attention because he was reportedly sentenced to death for protest-related actions that did not involve killing anyone.
Sasan Azadvar was known as a young athlete and karate practitioner from Isfahan, Iran. During the nationwide unrest that erupted in January 2026, Iranian authorities accused him of participating in attacks against police forces and damaging government property. State media later aired video footage presented as a confession. Rights groups and international observers questioned the fairness of the judicial process and argued that the punishment was disproportionate because the allegations against him did not involve homicide. His execution became part of wider criticism from organizations such as Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Office, which warned that Iran was increasingly using the death penalty to suppress political opposition and fear dissent.
Additional Information
Sasan Azadvar was executed by Iranian authorities after being convicted on charges of “moharabeh” (“waging war against God”) and “effective collaboration with the enemy.” According to Iranian state media, the charges were linked to his alleged participation in anti-government protests during the January 2026 uprising, including attacking police forces and damaging a police vehicle.
Sources & References
'This may be the last time you hear my voice': Political executions surge in Iran since start of war1 bbc.com Open source
Iran executes 21-year-old karate champion as UN warns of death penalty surge2 euronews.com Open source
Sasan Azadvar, Tenth Protester Hanged Within 42 Days3 iranhr.net Open source