Death-row Iranian protester Erfan released on bail

Erfan Soltani, an Iranian protester who was sentenced to death, has been released on bail after his family paid 12,600 US dollars. His lawyer, Amir Mousakhani, confirmed the information.

Mousakhani stated that Erfan was released on bail last Saturday and his personal belongings, including his mobile phone, were returned to him. Erfan was arrested on January 10 during anti-government protests and sentenced to death by a Tehran court just days later. Following the sentence, his family was informed that the execution would be carried out swiftly, prompting a warning from US President Donald Trump.

Erfan had been held in a detention centre in Karaj, outside the capital Tehran. The judiciary had stated last month that he was arrested for charges including "propaganda against the Islamic system" and "acting against national security."

The protests began in Tehran on December 28 over rising living costs and later spread to other provinces. While Iranian authorities have stated that over 3,000 people, mostly security force members, died in the violence, the US-based HRANA news agency puts the death toll at 6,713, with the majority being protesters.