Afghan Citizen Executed in Iran in Isfahan’s Alikhani Square Case.
Mizan News Agency, a media outlet affiliated with Iran’s judiciary, has reported the execution of Qaim Hosseini, an Afghan citizen and one of those arrested during the January 8, 2026 protests, in the case known as the “Alikhani Square” case in Isfahan.
According to Mizan, Hosseini’s execution was carried out in the early hours of Thursday, August 20. He had been accused of involvement in an incident that resulted in the deaths of four personnel from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Law Enforcement Command at Alikhani Square in Isfahan.
Mizan described the charges against Hosseini as “drawing a weapon and creating fear and terror, acts against the physical integrity of individuals, and threats to national security.” Iran’s judiciary also accused him of participating in an attack on law enforcement personnel and kicking their bodies.
Mizan claimed that Hosseini confessed during investigations into his alleged participation in the protests and possession of a cold weapon. However, previous human rights reports concerning protest-related cases in Iran have documented instances of forced confessions during interrogations and judicial proceedings.
According to Mizan, on January 8, 2026, during protests in Iran, four members of the Isfahan Law Enforcement Command’s Special Forces unit were attacked and killed at Alikhani Square. Iran’s judiciary accused Hosseini of involvement in the incident.
Four other protesters Erfan Esfandiyari, Gol Mohammad Mohammadi, Amirhossein Safaei, and Abolfazl Sepahi had previously been executed in connection with the same case. Iran’s judiciary had brought related charges against them.
Mizan also reported that Hosseini attempted to conceal his identity at the scene by wearing a jacket, hat, and mask, and had switched off his mobile phone to prevent tracking.
In recent months, Iran’s judiciary has sentenced numerous protesters arrested during the January 2026 demonstrations to death and has carried out executions in several cases. The exact number of people executed in connection with these cases has not been independently verified.
Human rights organizations have criticized the judicial proceedings in cases involving some protesters in Iran, accusing the Islamic Republic of conducting unfair trials, using forced confessions, and bringing disputed charges against protesters. The Islamic Republic has rejected these allegations and maintains that its judicial proceedings are lawful.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
