Erfan Soltani’s family is urgently seeking assistance from Donald Trump to save the Iranian shopkeeper, who faces being the first protester against the government to be executed following widespread protests.
Given only a brief 10-minute farewell with his family, Erfan was sentenced to death by Iran’s regime amidst a harsh crackdown on demonstrations sparked by internal economic grievances. His execution, scheduled for today, adds to the toll of numerous casualties during the ongoing unrest, posing a significant challenge to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s four-decade rule.
Appealing to Trump for aid to halt the execution, Erfan’s relatives emphasized the critical need for immediate intervention. Somayeh, a cousin of Soltani, pleaded with American media, stressing the urgency of Trump’s involvement to prevent her cousin’s death. She highlighted Trump’s commitment to taking robust actions if Iran proceeded with executing anti-government dissidents, stating that people trusted his promises when taking to the streets.
Expressing disbelief and sorrow over the impending execution, Somayeh described her shock upon hearing the news, feeling as if she were in a surreal situation. She portrayed Erfan as a staunch advocate for basic freedoms in Iran, lamenting his imminent fate under the gallows.
In response to the situation in Iran, Trump urged public demonstrators to persist in their protests through his Truth Social platform, cautioning authorities about facing consequences for the reported deaths of around 1,850 individuals according to human rights organizations.
Promising assistance, Trump directly called on Iranian protesters to seize control of government institutions to facilitate change. He emphasized the need to stop the senseless killings of demonstrators, vowing support and urging the Iranian populace to continue their activism.
While Iranian officials acknowledge a lower death toll of 600, credible reports suggest the actual number of fatalities could be as high as 2,000. The judiciary has expedited legal proceedings against protesters, branding them as “rioters” and “terrorists,” with Erfan’s execution slated for January 14.
Somayeh refuted claims of violence by Erfan during protests, attributing any destruction to the regime’s actions and criticizing the fabrication of charges against young activists to justify their executions.