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Iran executes two men over deaths of four police officers in January Isfahan protests

Iran executed Alireza Sepahi and Alireza Raeisi on Monday 5 October, the judiciary's Mizan agency reported, over the deaths of four police officers during January protests in Isfahan. The Supreme Court had upheld their death sentences.

2 outlets · 0L · 1C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Anadolu Agency
Image: The Jerusalem Post

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The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Iran executed two men on Monday 5 October over the deaths of four police officers during the January protests in Isfahan, according to the judiciary's Mizan news agency. Mixed · 2Mizan named the men as Alireza Sepahi and Alireza Raeisi (spelled Raisi by Anadolu), and said the Supreme Court had upheld their death sentences before they were carried out on Monday morning. Right · 1Mizan said the charges included membership in an armed rebel group, waging war against God by carrying weapons, creating fear and insecurity, "corruption on earth" and incitement to war and killing.

Centre · 1According to the judiciary, as reported by Anadolu, Sepahi set a police officer on fire while he was still alive, while Raisi took part in attacks on security forces and encouraged violence. Centre · 1The protests began on 28 December 2025 amid a sharp fall in the Iranian currency and worsening economic conditions, spread from Tehran to cities nationwide and grew into broader anti-government demonstrations. Centre · 1Unrest escalated on 8 and 9 January, with deadly clashes in several cities, and authorities imposed a nationwide internet shutdown and disrupted mobile communications.

Centre · 1Iranian authorities and rights groups have reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests during the protests, though their figures differ significantly. The accounts of the killings and the charges come from the judiciary; the coverage cites no independent verification or response from the men's families or lawyers.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Anadolu leads with the executions of 'protesters' over their 'alleged role' in the killings, attributes the allegations to the judiciary and adds background on the protests and the death and arrest tolls.
Emphasis
The judiciary's specific allegations against each man, and the protest timeline, internet shutdown and casualty figures.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not list all the formal charges in full or give the time of day of the executions.
Charged language
“alleged role”“corruption on earth”
For example
“Iran executed two protesters on Monday over their alleged role in the killing of police officers during widespread anti-government protests in January, according to the judiciary.” — Anadolu Agency

Right1 outlet

Framing
The Jerusalem Post runs a short, developing Reuters report that leads with the executions and the formal charges as stated by Mizan, with the men described as 'arrested over' the protests.
Emphasis
The charges, including 'waging war against God', and the Supreme Court upholding the sentences.
Leaves out or plays down
No background on the protests, the judiciary's account of each man's acts, or the death and arrest tolls. The text is Reuters copy, so it shows little about the outlet's own framing.
Charged language
“waging war against God”
For example
“Iran executed two men arrested over January protests in Isfahan in connection with the deaths of four police officers, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported on Monday.” — The Jerusalem Post