Iran accelerates execution campaign against anti-regime activists amid internet censorship

A woman lays down flowers for victims of executions in Iran during a rally in Paris, France, on May 13, 2025.(Siavosh Hosseini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

AThe official said that “for decades, Iranians have been subjected totorture and sham trialsresulting in executions and severe punishments, often with coerced confessions as the only evidence presented against them.”

These included 12 prisoners hanged on May 31, and an additional six prisoners executed on June 1, one of whom was said to be “hanged in public with utmost brutality.”

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IRAN REGIME USES WAR TO MASK ‘BRUTAL’ EXECUTION SURGE AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS

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The NCRI has counted a total of 32 executions between March 19 and June 1.These included eight members of Iranian dissident organization People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOE/MEK) and 24 participants in Iran’s January 2026 protests.

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�an imminent risk of execution” for five political prisoners in the Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, four of whom were sentenced to death because they were charged with being members of PMOI/MEK.

Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI, posted on X a call for “urgent action” from the U.N.“to prevent the execution.”

Days earlier on June 2, following two other executions against January protesters, Rajavi saidon Xthat the “clerical regime has committed another horrific crime in Iran.” She called on the U.N.Security Counciland European Union “to decisively condemn these criminal executions and take effective action to stop the killing of political prisoners and protesters in Iran.”

The Iran Human Rights Society echoed NCRI’s account of 18 recent executions between May 31 and June 1.Their representative explained that despite the internet blackout, they receive reports from “a network of prison sources, prisoners’ families, lawyers, and local contacts” and explained that “all reports are reviewed and cross-checked through multiple independent sources before publication.” Though they say “internet restrictions make documentation more difficult,” they stated they “continue to receive, verify, and document information.”

IRAN GOES DARK AS REGIME UNLEASHES FORCE, CYBER TOOLS TO CRUSH PROTESTS

A hanging rope seen displayed during the rally in Paris, France on May 13, 2025.(Siavosh Hosseini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

�internet connectivity in Iran is largely restored but the service that is available remains limited compared to the state of things before the protests and the war this year.For most users, in practice, that means international access is slow with indications of throttling and there’s also increased filtering, particularly targeting messaging apps.

“It’s been in this limbo state since the restoration with no significant change for better or worse,” he said.

However, the Iran Human Rights Society representative noted that the actual number of executions is “almost certainly” higher than the figure they have captured.“The ruling authorities in Iran frequently carry out executions in secret and do not publicly announce many of them,” the representative explained.Additionally, the representative added that “a significant number of executions, particularly in remote areas or locations with limited access to information, may remain undocumented or reach us only after a considerable delay.”

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The representative also noted that the quantity of executions the Iran Human Rights Society documents “has consistently been lower than the actual number carried out.”

TheUnited NationsSpecial Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr.�s request for comment on the increased executions in Iran.

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On June 20th, up to 100,000 Iranian expats from both sides of the Atlantic are expected to hold a major rally in Paris to urge an end to the executions. More than 100 lawmakers, officials, former heads of state and ministers are also expected to join, according to the NCRI.

Beth Bailey is a reporter covering Afghanistan, the Middle East, Asia, the United Nations, Central America and antisemitism.She was formerly a civilian intelligence analyst with the Department of the Army.You can follow Beth on X @BWBailey85