Iran’ s ‘No to Executions Tuesdays’ campaign expands to 56 prisons as regime hangs 300 in one month

2026-02-17 - 17:04

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign marked its 108th consecutive week with hunger strikes across 56 prisons in Iran. This week’s strike holds particular significance as it coincides with the 40th-day memorial ceremonies for the protesters killed during the nationwide uprising of January 2026. In a statement released from inside the prisons, participants declared their solidarity with the mourning families, emphasizing that the movement against the death penalty has now merged with the broader calls for regime change echoing in the streets. The striking prisoners highlighted a dramatic surge in state violence following the January protests. According to their statement, since the beginning of the Iranian month of Bahman (starting January 21, 2026), the regime has executed over 300 prisoners, including three women. The statement also raised urgent alarm regarding Saleh Mohammadi, an 18-year-old wrestler arrested during the January protests in Qom, who is reportedly facing an imminent execution sentence. 108th Week of #NoToExecutionTuesdays | Feb 17, 2026 Active in 56 prisons as families mark the 40th day of those killed in the January uprising. Since Jan 21, 2026, 300+ executed, including 3 women. 18-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi now faces a death sentence. Publish the... pic.twitter.com/p2WymuMLIo — SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) February 17, 2026 The prisoners’ statement drew a direct parallel between the current crackdown and the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. Referring to recent comments by regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the prisoners noted that leaked footage of the January crackdown confirms the regime is replicating its darkest historical atrocities. “The documents, videos, and photos that have been gradually released these days... confirm this ominous statement by Khamenei that ‘The God of now is the same God of the 1980s,’” the prisoners wrote. “This level of crime reminds us once again how terrible and massive the dimensions of crimes against humanity and secret massacres of the 80s and 1988 in prisons... actually were.” The campaign notes that tens of thousands of detainees from the recent protests remain under torture, with the judiciary planning heavy sentences. “We call on all international bodies for immediate action to save these prisoners,” the statement read. From Prison Cells to City Streets Reports from inside Iran indicate that the demand to end executions has transcended prison walls to become a central slogan of street protests. During the 40th-day memorials for the January martyrs, protesters in dozens of cities—including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Mashhad, and Zahedan—chanted slogans directly referencing the prisoners’ campaign. Activists report that families of the incarcerated have become the “pillars” of this movement, ensuring the regime cannot silence the issue. Slogans recorded in recent days include “Execution is gasoline on the fire of the uprising,” “This is the last message; if you execute, there will be an uprising,” and “We swear by the blood of our comrades, we stand until the end.” The hunger strike on Tuesday, February 17, spanned the following 56 facilities: Evin Prison (women’s and men’s wards), Ghezel Hesar Prison (units 2, 3, and 4), Karaj Central Prison, Fardis Prison in Karaj, Greater Tehran Prison, Qarchak Prison, Khorin Prison in Varamin, Chobindar Prison in Qazvin, Ahar Prison, Arak Prison, Langeroud Prison in Qom, Khorramabad Prison, Borujerd Prison, Yasuj Prison, Asadabad Prison in Isfahan, Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz (women’s and men’s wards), Nezam Prison in Shiraz, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz (women’s and men’s wards), Firuzabad Prison in Fars, Dehdasht Prison, Zahedan Prison (women’s and men’s wards), Borazjan Prison, Ramhormoz Prison, Behbahan Prison, Bam Prison, Yazd Prison (women’s and men’s wards), Kahnuj Prison, Tabas Prison, Birjand Central Prison, Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, Gorgan Prison, Sabzevar Prison, Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, Qaemshahr Prison, Rasht Prison (men’s and women’s wards), Rudsar Prison, Haviq Prison in Talesh, Azbaram Prison in Lahijan, Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah, Ardabil Prison, Tabriz Prison, Urmia Prison, Salmas Prison, Khoy Prison, Naqadeh Prison, Miandoab Prison, Mahabad Prison, Bukan Prison, Saqqez Prison, Baneh Prison, Marivan Prison, Sanandaj Prison, Kamyaran Prison, and Ilam Prison.