Iran Executes Amirali Mirjafari Over Alleged Mosque Arson Plot, US-Israel Ties as Rights Groups Warn of Rising Executions

Iran executed Amirali Mirjafari on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, for allegedly plotting to burn a mosque in Tehran and collaborating with Israel and the United States, according to the country’s judiciary.

The execution was carried out amid a continuing crackdown on anti-establishment protests that began earlier this year, with authorities linking Mirjafari to arson at the Qolhak mosque in Tehran and to anti-security activities.

Iran’s judiciary identified Mirjafari as the individual responsible for setting fire to the Qolhak mosque during January protests and accused him of leading anti-security operations, according to statements reported by Mizan Online, the judiciary’s news agency.

The case has drawn criticism from international rights groups, which have condemned the rising number of executions in Iran and warned about the use of capital punishment in cases tied to dissent and protest activity.

Amirali Mirjafari’s execution marks one of the latest actions taken by Iranian authorities in response to protests that erupted in January 2026, which were fueled by broader social and political grievances and met with a sustained security crackdown.

Rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns over due process in such cases, particularly when defendants are accused of foreign collaboration, noting the lack of transparent evidence and independent oversight in Iran’s judicial proceedings.