Iran executes political prisoner Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr amid renewed crackdown

Hengaw – Thursday, April 23, 2026

The Iranian judiciary has carried out the execution of Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr, a political prisoner and former member of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), who had been sentenced to death on charges including “waging war against God” (moharebeh) and alleged “collaboration with Israel.”

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, citing state-affiliated media, the execution was carried out at dawn on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The report stated that the sentence was implemented after being upheld by the Supreme Court.

In an official statement, the Iranian judiciary claimed that Shirzadi Fakhr had left Iran through the Salmas border in the 1980s to join the MEK and had taken part in the group’s military operations. It further alleged that after years of residence in Spain, he returned to Iran under the direction of foreign intelligence services, using a family visit as cover, and was subsequently arrested.

Hengaw Organization for Human Rights strongly condemns the execution, noting that it comes amid a sharp escalation in the use of the death penalty against political prisoners following recent military tensions between Iran and foreign powers. The use of charges such as “collaboration with Israel” and “waging war against God” against political opponents has long served to justify executions following closed-door trials that deny defendants access to independent legal counsel.

Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr was executed based on forced confessions and allegations dating back decades. His trial failed to meet even the most basic standards of transparency, and the location of the execution has not been disclosed by Iranian authorities.