Iran executes Kurdish prisoners of conscience Amanch Karavanchi and Arsalan Sheikhi

Hengaw — Saturday, January 24, 2026

The death sentences of Amanch Karavanchi and Arsalan Sheikhi (also known as Abdolrahman), two Kurdish prisoners of conscience held at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, were carried out without allowing them a final visit with their families.

Hengaw has learned that the executions were carried out on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Ghezel Hesar Prison.

Mizan, the official media outlet of Iran’s judiciary, did not specify the location of the executions and claimed that the two men were affiliated with ISIS and involved in a “bombing.” These allegations have not been independently verified.

According to informed sources, five prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement at Ghezel Hesar Prison in preparation for execution on the evening of Friday, January 23. Two of them were identified as Amanch Karavanchi and Arsalan Sheikhi.

The sources said the prisoners resisted prison authorities and were subjected to severe beatings following physical confrontations. No information is currently available regarding the fate of the other three prisoners.

Hengaw had previously reported that Arsalan Sheikhi, along with his wife, Nasimeh Eslamzehi, and another prisoner identified as Hassan—both held at Evin Prison—were sentenced to death in a joint case by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, on charges of “waging war against God.”