Iran Releases Erfan Soltani, Whose Arrest Sparked Global Outcry And Reaction From Trump, On Bail

Last Updated:February 02, 2026, 01:19 IST

The case drew global attention after reports claimed Soltani had been sentenced to death following a fast-tracked trial.

Soltani’s arrest during Iran’s protest crackdown had sparked fears of an imminent execution and drawn international attention. (IMAGE: X)

The 26-year-old Iranian man Erfan Soltani, whose arrest during last month’s anti-government protests triggered global concern over reports of an imminent execution, has been released on bail, according to his lawyer and human rights groups cited by AFP and the BBC.

Soltani was arrested on January 8 in Fardis, a city west of Tehran, as protests spread across Iran and were met with a deadly crackdown by security forces.

Soltani’s lawyer, Amir Mousakhani, told AFP that his client was released on bail on Saturday. “He was released and received all of his belongings, including his cellphone," Mousakhani was quoted as saying, adding that bail of two billion tomans, roughly $12,600, had been paid.

Hengaw and Iranian media outlets, including semi-official news agency Isna, also confirmed Soltani’s release. The rights group later said it had learned through relatives that any execution order had been postponed.

Initial reports claimed Soltani had been sentenced to death in a fast-tracked judicial process, sparking alarm among rights groups and international figures.

Norway-based Kurdish rights group Hengaw said Soltani’s family was informed shortly after his arrest that he was scheduled to be executed within days, without being given further details.

A relative later told BBC Persian that the alleged death sentence had been issued “within just two days".

Soltani, who runs a clothing shop, became the focus of intense international attention amid concerns that Iran was accelerating executions linked to protest-related cases. US President Donald Trump had earlier warned of “very strong action" if executions of protesters were carried out.

Iran’s judiciary, however, denied that Soltani had been sentenced to death, saying he faced security-related charges that carried prison terms rather than capital punishment. The Iranian government described foreign media reports about an impending execution as “fabrication".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said in an interview with US television that there was “no plan" to carry out hangings, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any external attack on Iran would trigger a wider regional conflict.

The unrest, which began in late December, has resulted in heavy casualties. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says it has verified the killing of more than 6,300 people so far and is investigating thousands of additional reports. Another Norway-based group, Iran Human Rights, has warned the final death toll could exceed 25,000.

News world Iran Releases Erfan Soltani, Whose Arrest Sparked Global Outcry And Reaction From Trump, On Bail

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