That fear has been sharply focused on the case of heroic Iranian protester Erfan Soltani. But human rights groups warn that even if Soltani avoids execution, he could still face years of extreme torture inside Iran's prison system, where detainees describe beatings, pepper spray and electric shocks, including to the genitals. Human rights organisations warn that these practices are not isolated incidents, but form part of a wider pattern across Iran's detention system. But rights groups believe that number to be far higher, estimating up to 20,000 arrests. But Tehran has since confirmed that Soltani will not face execution, after Trump warned that executing anti-government demonstrators could trigger military action.

Source: Daily Mail January 18, 2026 21:43 UTC