Silenced Voices: The Execution of Erfan Shakourzadeh and Iran's Use of Capital Punishment
Iran executed a post-graduate student from a prestigious Tehran university on charges of espionage. Erfan Shakourzadeh, 29, was accused of collaborating with the CIA and Mossad. Despite denying the charges, he was hanged after being held in solitary confinement and tortured. He is the fifth person executed on espionage charges since the war began in late February.
Shakourzadeh, a top-ranked aerospace engineering student, was subjected to severe torture to extract false confessions. He was executed at Ghezel Hesar prison after being transferred from Evin prison. Authorities have also executed individuals linked to protests and banned opposition groups. Rights groups criticize Iran for using capital punishment to instill fear during times of tension.
Shakourzadeh's alleged confessions were set to be broadcast on state television. However, he maintained his innocence in a message published before his execution. He urged the public not to let innocent lives be lost in silence. Iran has faced criticism for closed-door trials and speedy executions in response to domestic and international challenges.
The execution of Shakourzadeh adds to the growing number of individuals put to death in Iran. The country has faced international scrutiny for its high number of executions, with at least 190 recorded in 2026. The use of capital punishment as a tool to suppress dissent has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations. Iran's judiciary chief has emphasized the need to expedite executions to combat perceived threats.