🇮🇷 IRAN'S PLAYING "IS HE DEAD OR ISN'T HE?" WITH 26-YEAR-OLD PROTESTER
Erfan Soltani disappeared into Iran's prison system on Jan 8. Shopkeeper. Not a political activist. Just participated in protests.
Family told Jan 12: death sentence, execution Jan 14. No trial. No lawyer. Sister's a lawyer - authorities blocked her from his case file. 10-minute goodbye scheduled.
Trump threatened Iran. Suddenly Jan 15: Iranian judiciary says "death sentence? what death sentence?" Claims he only faces prison charges.
Family says execution was "postponed." Not cancelled.
Now it's Jan 18. Nobody knows if he's alive. No family access. No proof of life. Internet blackout across Iran means zero verification possible.
Soltani was supposed to be the first official protester execution. Message to everyone else. Trump's threats bought time, not freedom.
Source: CNN, CBS News, Hengaw, Iran Human Rights