A 21-year-old karate champion has reportedly been executed for taking part in anti-government protests.
Sassan Azadvar Junaqani was executed on Thursday (30 Apr), according to Iran’s judiciary-linked media.
Sassan, a Kyokushin karateka who had won provincial championships in Isfahan, was arrested in early January during the protests.
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He was held in solitary confinement at Isfahan Central Prison, where his family were summoned for a final visit on Tuesday (28 Apr).
He was hanged at dawn two days later, as reported by Need To Know.
Sassan is believed to be the tenth protester executed in connection with the December 2025 – January 2026 protests in Iran.
He was sentenced to death on 15 March on the charge of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) over alleged attacks on security forces.
Authorities claimed he threw stones at police vehicles, used a wooden stick to break police vehicle windows, attempted to set a minibus carrying officers on fire, and incited public unrest.
No injuries to security personnel were reported in connection with the alleged incidents.
The Isfahan Revolutionary Court described the acts as “effective cooperation with the enemy”, allegedly carried out at “the official invitation of the Zionist regime and the US president”.
Human rights organisations have said Sassan’s confessions, used as evidence in the case, were “forced”.
Exiled opposition media also reported that he had limited access to legal representation during detention.
In addition to the death sentence for moharebeh, Sassan was also handed seven years for incitement, 25 months for insulting the Supreme Leader, and 15 months for propaganda against the system.
The sentence was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court on 27 April after an appeal.
Sassan worked as a baker before his arrest and had no prior political record.
He was reportedly buried in Isfahan on Thursday under heavy security.
Authorities did not permit burial in his hometown, and only around 10 relatives were allowed to attend the funeral.
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