Iranian authorities have reportedly carried out the death sentence of 18-year-old protester Melika Azizi, according to reports circulating on Friday.
Azizi was said to have been arrested in January 2026 during nationwide anti-government protests in Iran and later charged with “moharebeh” — a term under Iranian law often translated as “waging war against God.”
Reports claim she was accused of allegedly setting fire to symbols associated with the Islamic Republic during the demonstrations.
According to accounts from the court proceedings, Azizi reportedly made a defiant statement before the judge, saying:
“You let so many young people bleed. How can I remain silent? I don’t care — just kill me.”
Her reported execution has sparked fresh outrage among activists and rights advocates, many of whom have condemned Iran’s handling of protesters and the use of capital punishment against young demonstrators.
Azizi’s case is expected to fuel renewed international criticism of Iran’s judiciary and security crackdown on dissent, particularly following months of unrest and protest actions across the country.
Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of detained protesters in Iran, including allegations of forced confessions, lack of fair trial standards, and harsh sentencing.
If confirmed by independent international observers, the case would add to growing concerns over the fate of young protesters arrested during the ongoing wave of demonstrations in the country.
Melika Azizi is already being remembered by many online as a symbol of courage and resistance amid one of the most tense periods in Iran’s recent political history.