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A young Iranian soldier, Javid Khales, has been sentenced to death for refusing to fire on demonstrators during a major wave of anti-government protests, according to a report released Tuesday by the Iran Human Rights Society (IHRS).
Khales was arrested during the nationwide protests of 1404 (2025-2026), a period marked by widespread demonstrations calling for regime change in Iran. According to IHRS sources, his arrest came immediately after he refused a direct order to shoot at protesters.
“According to informed sources, when faced with the command to shoot at protesting people, he refused to execute the order, leading to his immediate arrest and the opening of a case against him,” the IHRS statement said.
Witnesses claim that Khales, currently held in Isfahan prison, committed no crime but was simply exercising his humanity by refusing to participate in violence against civilians. His case has drawn significant attention as it represents a troubling escalation in the Iranian regime’s crackdown on dissent.
The protests that began in late 2025 have already resulted in thousands of arrests and deaths, according to human rights organizations. The Iranian government has responded with increasingly harsh measures, including deploying security forces that have progressively escalated from non-lethal weapons to live ammunition against demonstrators.
Khales’ death sentence comes amid what human rights observers describe as a broader pattern of judicial overreach and rushed proceedings. The IHRS expressed grave concern about “a new wave of judicial massacre,” noting that Iranian judiciary officials have publicly advocated for summary trials and swift executions for those detained during protests.
“This sentence comes at a time when judiciary officials have openly spoken of summary trials and the swift execution of death sentences against those arrested in the protests,” the group stated in their report.
Human rights sources indicate that many detainees have been held without access to legal representation or fair trials. Both a judiciary spokesperson and the Tehran prosecutor have emphasized in separate statements that cases involving dissidents must be resolved quickly, raising fears that executions might be carried out without proper legal procedures.
The Iranian government has also implemented nationwide internet restrictions and shutdowns in recent days, a tactic human rights activists say is designed not only to prevent protesters from organizing but also to conceal the severity of the crackdown from the outside world.
The IHRS characterized Khales’ death sentence as part of a broader strategy “to instill fear, enforce absolute obedience and intensify protest repression” among both the military ranks and the general population. By punishing a soldier who refused to follow orders to shoot civilians, the regime appears to be sending a clear message about the consequences of insubordination within security forces.
The case highlights the difficult position of conscripted soldiers and lower-ranking military personnel who may find themselves caught between their conscience and orders from superiors during civil unrest. While full details about Khales’ case, his current status, and the specifics of the judicial process against him remain limited, his situation has become emblematic of the regime’s response to the protests.
International human rights organizations have consistently criticized Iran’s use of capital punishment against political prisoners and its handling of trials for those arrested during demonstrations. The country has one of the highest execution rates in the world, and rights groups have documented numerous cases of torture, forced confessions, and expedited death sentences, particularly for those involved in political opposition.
As protests continue despite the government’s crackdown, Khales’ case has become a focal point for both domestic activists and international observers concerned about human rights violations in Iran.
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6 Comments
Javid Khales’ principled stand is inspiring, but the consequences for him are tragic. No one should have to choose between following unlawful orders or facing execution. I hope his story galvanizes more support for the Iranian pro-democracy movement and its fight against state oppression.
The Iranian regime’s response to the protests is deeply concerning. Sentencing a soldier to death for refusing to participate in violence against civilians is a chilling escalation. I hope the international community closely monitors this case and puts pressure on Iran to respect human rights.
This is an incredibly courageous act by Javid Khales. Refusing a direct order to shoot civilians in the face of certain punishment takes tremendous moral fortitude. His case highlights the impossible dilemmas faced by those serving in the Iranian security forces.
This is a harrowing and tragic story. The Iranian regime’s willingness to sentence a soldier to death for refusing to shoot protesters is a chilling escalation of their crackdown on dissent. Khales’ principled stand is incredibly courageous, but the consequences he faces are devastating.
This case is a stark reminder of the brutality of the Iranian regime. Sentencing a soldier to death for refusing to shoot civilians is a grotesque abuse of power. I hope Javid Khales’ courage inspires others to resist the regime’s violent crackdown on dissent.
This is a tragic story. It’s heartbreaking to see the Iranian regime cracking down so brutally on dissent. Soldiers should not be forced to commit atrocities against their own people. I hope Javid Khales’ case draws more attention to the human rights abuses happening in Iran.