Iranian protester Erfan Soltani released on bail after fears of Execution

An Iranian man detained in connection with anti-government protests and reportedly sentenced to death has been released on bail, according to a human rights group and Iranian state media.

Erfan Soltani, 26, was arrested last month as demonstrations swept across Iran and authorities launched a violent crackdown. He was detained on January 10 at his home in Fardis, a city about 25 miles west of Tehran, and charged with “assembly and collusion against the country’s internal security” as well as “propaganda activities” against the regime, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

After his arrest, the US State Department and one of Soltani’s relatives said Iranian authorities were planning to execute him. Iran’s judiciary dismissed those claims as “fabricated news,” according to IRIB. Soltani’s family later said his execution had been postponed.

US President Donald Trump said he had received assurances “on good authority” that there was no plan to carry out executions in Iran amid growing concern over Soltani’s fate. Trump has warned Iran against executing protesters, saying the US would “take strong action” if it happened.

On Saturday, Soltani was released on bail, according to Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights organization. Iranian state media outlet Press TV also confirmed his release in a post on Telegram.

Soltani’s case became one of the most high-profile internationally during the widespread anti-government protests that convulsed Iran last month. Security forces responded with a brutal crackdown, along with a prolonged nationwide internet shutdown.

Earlier reports said Soltani was in good physical condition and had been able to meet with his family. A relative described him as an “incredibly kind and warm-hearted young man” who has “always fought for the freedom of Iran.”

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 6,400 protesters have been killed and over 1,000 arrested since the demonstrations began, with an additional 11,280 deaths under review. These figures could not be independently verified.

Despite the internet blackout, details of the crackdown continued to emerge through accounts from witnesses, human rights activists and medical professionals, who reported widespread violence against protesters by security forces.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has acknowledged that thousands were killed during more than two weeks of unrest, but blamed some of the deaths on Trump, accusing him of openly encouraging protesters by promising US military support.

During the protests, Trump urged Iranians to continue demonstrating and “take over” state institutions, saying help was on the way. No military intervention followed, but tensions have since escalated.

Trump has warned Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, threatening further US strikes if talks fail. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said he is confident a deal can be reached, while Khamenei has warned that any US attack would trigger a strong regional response.

Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world and has previously carried out executions of protesters following periods of widespread unrest.