Iran executes Abbas Akbari over coup attempt, shooting security forces

• Iran executes Abbas Akbari Faizabadi over alleged coup role.
• He was accused of armed attacks on security forces in Isfahan.
• Convicted over national security charges.
• Supreme Court upheld sentence based on confessions, footage, police evidence.

Iranian authorities have carried out the death sentence of Abbas Akbari Faizabadi, a prominent armed leader convicted of participating in the mid-January 2024 coup.

Akbari was hanged on Monday's dawn after his conviction was thoroughly finalized.

Tasnim News Agency characterized the political unrest of January 18 and 19 as a "US-Israeli coup orchestrated by hostile terrorist elements".

The report stated that the chaotic events inflicted widespread damage on the country, resulting in the death of thousands of innocent citizens and security personnel, while providing a pretext for external aggression against Iran.

Armed operations

According to judicial documents, Akbari acted as a key armed leader of the riots in Nain County, located in Isfahan Province.

He was accused of playing a major role in coordinating attacks on the county governorate building, public service facilities, and local security centers.

Case files, backed by photographic evidence and surveillance footage, proved that Akbari entered the streets heavily armed with a combat handgun.

Alongside a crowd of rioters, Akbari stormed the Nain governorate building and repeatedly fired live ammunition directly at security forces tasked with protecting the facility.

Trial, confessions, Supreme Court appeal

Following his identification and arrest, formal judicial proceedings were initiated against Akbari.

He was brought to trial on several severe charges, including Moharebeh, the intentional destruction of public property with the intent to confront the Islamic Republic of Iran, disrupting public order, and assembling and colluding to commit crimes against domestic security.

The court ruled that Akbari's guilt was fully established based on multiple factors. These included:

• The defendant's own explicit confessions admitting to possessing a combat handgun, entering the streets, and firing at individuals—actions legally classified as drawing a weapon with intent to kill and causing public insecurity.
• Video recordings capturing the exact moment Akbari opened fire in the streets.
• A formal law enforcement report confirming the physical discovery and seizure of the handgun inside the defendant's residence.

Defended by his legal counsel, Akbari exercised his right to appeal the initial capital sentence.

The case was transferred to the Supreme Court of Iran for a full judicial review.

The Supreme Court ultimately affirmed the lower court's ruling, declaring the verdict flawless and fully supported by the verified documents, physical evidence, and the defendant's own testimonies.

Following the high court's confirmation, Akbari was executed by hanging this morning.