A young Iranian medical student, Sepehr Amirzadeh, has reportedly been sentenced to death in Iran after allegedly treating wounded protesters during the January uprising, sparking urgent calls for his release and for doctors around the world to intervene.
The January 2026 uprising in Iran was a massive wave of anti-government protests sparked by severe economic collapse, currency devaluation, and deep political frustration.
Triggered in late December 2025, the demonstrations escalated into widespread unrest before facing a brutal, lethal crackdown by state security forces beginning January 8, 2026. 
The development was shared by Iranian journalist, Masih Alinejad, who described Amirzadeh as a medical student who “reportedly faces execution in Iran” and urged medical professionals to help save his life.
According to the appeal, Amirzadeh’s alleged offence was treating wounded protesters during the unrest. Alinejad said the young medical student “tried to save lives” at a time when people were suffering injuries.
His ‘crime’? He treated wounded protesters during January uprising. He tried to save lives,” the appeal stated.
Alinejad said Amirzadeh did not discriminate against those he treated based on their political views, but instead acted according to the fundamental principles of medicine.
They were seeking compensation for damage sustained during the five-month military conflict between Iran and the United States.
He said the issue had not been raised during earlier negotiations but argued that Tehran’s position provided an opportunity for Washington to make its own demands.
“I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five-month military conflict (started because they will not have a nuclear weapon), even though it was never mentioned in any If our negotiations or meetings!” Trump wrote.
“But it is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts, for which they are famous, as led initially by General Soleimani.”
