Iran hangs two men in January cop killings
Two men were executed in Tehran on Tuesday for killing four officers during protests, while a third police officer died in a gun attack in the southeast.
By Kofi Greco ·
Tehran authorities executed two men on Tuesday after a court upheld their death sentences for killing four police officers during unrest in central Iran earlier this year. The executions took place in Isfahan province, where the victims died in January 2026.
The judiciary’s Mizan Online website identified the men as Amirhossein Maleki and Amirhossein Ebrahimi. The report stated that both were armed and present at the scene of the incident. It described them as main perpetrators who committed multiple criminal acts against the officers.
The men were convicted of moharebeh, a charge defined as waging war against God, and corruption on earth. The judiciary confirmed that the Supreme Court upheld the death sentences after a thorough legal review and appeals by the defendants.
This follows the execution of two other men, Alireza Sepahi and Alireza Raissi, in early October for their role in the same killings. The surge in executions has coincided with the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran that began in late February.
Amnesty International reports that Iran carries out more executions than any country except China. The executions occurred the same day as a separate violent incident in the country’s southeast.
State television reported that unidentified assailants killed Third Lieutenant Hojat Vafakardeh of the Criminal Investigation Police in Saravan county, Sistan-Baluchistan province. A police statement said the officer was killed in an armed attack and that efforts to identify the responsible parties are ongoing.
Sistan-Baluchistan is one of Iran’s poorest provinces and borders Pakistan and Afghanistan. The region is home to a large Baluch population, most of whom are Sunni Muslims in a predominantly Shia state. Clashes between security forces and armed groups are common in the area.
Local security forces reported a series of operations in the region last week. On Monday, the Mehr news agency said terrorist groups attacked a vehicle carrying engineers and contractors. Also on Monday, the local Revolutionary Guards headquarters said it ambushed a terrorist team before they could carry out an operation, killing one member and arresting several others.
The intelligence ministry announced on Thursday that its forces dismantled four operational cells of a group it described as terrorist and takfiri. The ministry said it arrested 16 people from these cells and detained three others for sending information to US and Israeli centers.
The January protests that led to the executions began in December over a surge in foreign currency rates. The demonstrations peaked on January 8 and 9, with Tehran accusing Israel and the United States of fomenting the unrest. Official figures indicate more than 3,000 people were killed during the clashes, including police and security personnel. Rights groups based abroad have cited higher numbers.
Source: The Times of Israel
