In a harrowing display of resistance, a smuggled video from Iran's Ghezel Hesar prison reportedly captured six dissidents singing a song of defiance moments before their execution. The footage, described as "harrowing and heartbreaking" by historian S Sebag Montefiore in a recent social media post, highlights the escalating crackdown by the Iranian regime, which has seen at least 145 executions since late February.
The video shows the six men, identified as Vahid Baniamerian, Babak Alipour, Abolhassan Montazer, Pouya Ghobadi, Akbar Daneshvarkar, and Mohammad Taghavi, standing in a prison courtyard and singing a resistance anthem. "Your rival stands before you now, hardened in the flame — I am the faith, I am revolt, with belief I take my stand — I’ve sworn an oath upon my blood, the tyrant’s throne shall shatter," they sang, according to reports. Pouya Ghobadi, 33, was executed on March 31, while Vahid Baniamerian, also 33, was executed on April 4.
These individuals were accused of "armed rebellion against the state" and membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), a prominent opposition group. Baniamerian also recorded a direct message to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating, "I want to remind you that I and those like me rose from the blood of freedom-loving youth." The condemned inmates also penned a manifesto urging continued resistance against the Islamic regime.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR), have condemned the rapid increase in executions. IHR reports that 145 executions have been confirmed since February 28, following a period of heightened tensions. This surge comes after at least 1,639 executions were recorded in 2025, marking a 68 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number in 37 years.
The executions are linked to widespread protests in January 2026, which led to thousands of arrests and many dissidents being charged with capital offenses such as "waging war against God." Amnesty International has stated that many trials are "grossly unfair," with confessions often extracted under torture. Critics argue that the regime uses these executions as a political tool to instill fear and suppress dissent.
