Nationwide Hunger Strike Continues in Week 119 Across 56 Prisons
In Week 119, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign continues its coordinated hunger strike across 56 prisons in Iran. Political prisoners are protesting the escalating wave of executions and death sentences targeting protesters, detainees, and political activists nationwide.
Despite heightened repression, prisoners continue their weekly protest inside Iran’s prison system, marking another week of sustained resistance against capital punishment.
Escalating Executions and Ongoing Killings
During the past week, Iranian authorities carried out several executions, including Sasan Azadvar, a 21-year-old political prisoner and karate champion, alongside Mehdi Rasouli, Mohammadreza Miri, and Ebrahim Dolatabadi, linked to the January 2026 protests in Mashhad. Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, detained from the 2022 uprising in Urmia, was also executed.
Separately, Kurdish prisoners Nasser Bekrzadeh and Yaghoub Karimpour were executed on espionage charges. Reports indicate that executions of non-political prisoners have also increased.
Protesters Facing Imminent Death Sentences
A number of detainees from recent protests remain at risk of execution, including Erfan Amiri, Matin Mohammadi, Ehsan Hosseini Pour Hesarlou, Maryam Hadavandmiri, Mohammad Abbasi, Saeed Zarei Kordshouli, Hamidreza Fathi, Abdolreza Fathi, Hamidreza Sabet-Ray, and Mohammadreza Tabari.
In addition, the judiciary rejected a retrial request for political prisoner Peyman Farrahavar, held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, further endangering his life.
Intensified Judicial Pressure and Prison Repression
The head of the judiciary, Gholamhossein Ejei, intensified threats against opponents of the death penalty, warning of further executions and increasing pressure on dissent.
In Evin Prison, women participating in the campaign who had chanted “No to Execution” and “Death to the Dictator” were reportedly deprived of visitation and phone call rights as punishment.
Call for Immediate International Action
The campaign stresses that repression and executions will not stop public dissent. It urges international human rights organizations and the global community to act urgently to halt executions and protect prisoners in Iran.
Participating Prisons in Week 119 Hunger Strike
The hunger strike is taking place in 56 prisons, including Evin Prison (Women’s and Men’s Wards), Qezel Hesar, Karaj Central, Greater Tehran, Qarchak, Zahedan, Mashhad, Tabriz, Urmia, Sanandaj, and many others across the country (full list maintained by the campaign).
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Campaign: No to Execution Tuesdays – Week 119