Leviste Solar Firm Hit With ₱24-Billion DOE Penalty
P&C | Wednesday, 14 Jan. 2026
Manila | Planet & Commerce
The solar energy company that catapulted Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste into the national spotlight as the country’s youngest billionaire is now facing one of the largest regulatory penalties ever imposed in the Philippine renewable energy sector. Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. has been slapped with a ₱24-billion penalty by the Department of Energy for failing to deliver electricity output promised under more than 30 government-backed service contracts. The sanction, announced during a briefing on Tuesday by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, comes amid a sweeping government crackdown on nonperforming power projects. The DOE disclosed that it has terminated a total of 163 renewable energy contracts across the country for failure to meet agreed timelines, with more than half of those cancellations linked to Leviste’s company. According to Garin, roughly 64 percent of the terminated projects were under Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc., the firm founded by Leviste in 2013 when he was just 20 years old. The canceled agreements include 33 contracts secured under the government’s flagship Green Energy Auction Program, along with several other service contracts awarded between 2014 and 2019. The Green Energy Auction Program is a cornerstone of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., aimed at fast-tracking renewable energy investments to boost the country’s clean energy share from the current 22 percent to 35 percent by 2030. Under GEAP rules, winning bidders are required to post performance bonds and adhere strictly to construction and commissioning schedules to ensure timely power delivery. DOE data show that the idled projects under SPPHI were largely concentrated in Luzon, although specific locations were not immediately disclosed. Collectively, the stalled developments were expected to generate more than 11,000 megawatts of electricity, a capacity figure that far exceeds the output of many existing power plants and underscores the scale of the failed commitments.
Despite repeated attempts by the DOE to engage the company, Garin said regulators received no formal response from Solar Philippines, nor any petition seeking extensions or reconsideration of the penalties. “To be able to terminate a contract, we have to go through the whole due process,” she told reporters. “What we want are legitimate investors, that’s why we’re cleaning it out.” The ₱24-billion financial exposure faced by SPPHI includes roughly ₱14 billion in performance bonds required under the GEAP framework, along with other contractual obligations. Garin said the DOE is preparing all necessary measures within the first quarter of the year to compel payment, signalling that enforcement will move beyond administrative penalties. The action against Leviste’s firm forms part of a broader regulatory purge. Over the past two years, the DOE has intensified scrutiny of renewable energy developers that secured contracts but failed to build projects on schedule. From 2024 to 2025 alone, the terminated 163 contracts spanned solar, biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric and wind power projects, with a combined projected output of nearly 18,000 megawatts. Solar accounted for the lion’s share at more than 12,000 megawatts. The controversy has unfolded as Leviste, a first-term congressman representing Batangas’ first district, has been gaining national attention for his outspoken stance on governance issues. He recently made headlines after exposing an alleged bribery attempt by a district engineer and for obtaining infrastructure budget documents from the late public works undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. His public image as a reform-minded lawmaker has heightened scrutiny of his business interests. Adding another layer to the controversy, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla claimed last week that Leviste had allegedly sold his solar energy franchise to tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan without obtaining the necessary congressional approval. The alleged transaction is now under investigation.
Pangilinan’s Meralco PowerGen Corp. has sought to distance itself from the issue, stressing that SP New Energy Corp. is a separate and distinct entity from Solar Para Sa Bayan Corp.. Solar Para Sa Bayan holds a congressional franchise under Republic Act No. 11357 to develop solar-powered microgrids in remote areas, a mandate unrelated to the terminated DOE contracts. DOE officials were quick to deny that Leviste was being singled out in the enforcement drive. “It so happened that the projects were supposed to be delivered by December 2025,” the agency said, adding that the remaining terminated contracts belonged largely to smaller, lesser-known developers. Officials also clarified that SP New Energy Corp., now associated with the Pangilinan group, does not appear on the list of canceled projects. As of Tuesday afternoon, the DOE had yet to publish the full list of terminated contracts on its website, though officials said the documentation would be released in due course. Leviste himself had not responded to requests for comment by press time. The fallout from the mass termination highlights mounting challenges in the Philippines’ renewable energy transition. While aggressive targets and incentives have attracted numerous investors, regulators now face the task of separating serious developers from speculative players who secured contracts without the capacity or intent to deliver. For the Marcos administration, the crackdown is intended to restore credibility to the country’s renewable energy pipeline and reassure the market that commitments will be enforced. For Leviste, the episode represents a sharp reversal of fortune, with a multibillion-peso penalty threatening to overshadow both his business legacy and his early political career. As the DOE moves to collect penalties and investigations continue into related transactions, the case is set to become a defining test of regulatory discipline in the Philippine energy sector — and a cautionary tale for investors seeking to ride the country’s clean energy boom without meeting its obligations.
India’s BRICS 2026 Plan Faces Trump Iran Tariff
P&C | Wednesday, 14 Jan. 2026
New Delhi | Planet & Commerce
India has formally set the tone for its upcoming leadership of the BRICS grouping even as a fresh geopolitical challenge looms large, with US President Donald Trump threatening punitive tariffs on countries that continue economic engagement with Iran. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday unveiled India’s approach to BRICS 2026, emphasising resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability as the central pillars of New Delhi’s chairship amid a volatile global environment. The announcement came just hours after several BRICS members, including India, woke up to the prospect of a 25 percent US tariff if they maintained trade or energy links with Iran, following Trump’s latest social media warning. Although the minister did not directly reference the tariff threat, it was widely viewed as the unspoken backdrop to the launch of the BRICS 2026 logo, theme and official website. India last chaired BRICS in 2016, and the newly unveiled logo bears a resemblance to the earlier design, with changes primarily in colour palette and visual emphasis. The timing, however, underscores a far more complex geopolitical context. Since then, BRICS has expanded beyond its original five members — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, significantly broadening its economic and political footprint. Trump’s warning against BRICS countries doing business with Iran has revived long-standing tensions between Washington and the bloc. The US president has previously accused BRICS of attempting to undermine the dollar-dominated global financial system, and his latest threat has reinforced concerns that economic pressure may increasingly be used to deter emerging economies from pursuing independent multilateral frameworks. Addressing diplomats and officials, Jaishankar acknowledged the uncertainty shaping the global order. Without naming the United States, he referred to “complicated economic landscapes” and interlinked challenges confronting countries worldwide. He said geopolitical instability, climate-related risks, technological disruption and persistent development gaps were converging to test existing international systems.
“The current global environment presents complex and interlinked challenges,” Jaishankar said. “In this context, BRICS remains an important forum that encourages dialogue and cooperation, and practical responses, taking into account national priorities and different stages of development.” Under India’s chairship, BRICS will focus on four core pillars. The first is resilience, which Jaishankar described as the need to build institutional strength capable of absorbing global shocks. India plans to work with partner countries to enhance resilience in agriculture, public health, disaster risk reduction, energy security and supply chains, areas that have been repeatedly disrupted in recent years by pandemics, conflicts and trade restrictions. The second pillar, innovation, will centre on leveraging technology and knowledge-sharing to drive inclusive growth. Although details are yet to be finalised, officials indicated that digital public infrastructure, fintech cooperation and emerging technologies are likely to feature prominently in BRICS discussions, reflecting India’s own domestic priorities. Cooperation forms the third pillar, with New Delhi seeking to deepen collaboration among BRICS members across development, finance and people-to-people exchanges. Jaishankar stressed that the grouping’s diversity, often portrayed as a weakness, could instead be a strength if harnessed through pragmatic frameworks that respect differing national circumstances. The fourth pillar, sustainability, ties together climate action, energy transition and long-term development goals. Jaishankar said India would encourage approaches that balance environmental responsibility with development needs, a message likely to resonate with emerging economies wary of climate commitments that could constrain growth. A key theme running through Jaishankar’s address was the call for reformed multilateralism. He argued that global institutions created in the aftermath of the Second World War no longer adequately represent contemporary realities. He urged BRICS members to collectively push for reforms in bodies such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to make them more inclusive and representative.
“At a time when the world is navigating multiple complex challenges, the call for a reinvigorated, inclusive and effective multilateral order has never been more urgent,” Jaishankar said, framing BRICS as a platform to amplify the voices of the Global South. The minister also reiterated India’s commitment to the New Development Bank, which was established by BRICS countries as an alternative source of development finance. Founded well before Trump’s first term, the bank has often been viewed as a counterweight to Western-led financial institutions. Jaishankar said India would continue supporting efforts to strengthen the bank as a credible, responsive and financially sustainable institution focused on infrastructure and sustainable development. Despite the significance of Trump’s tariff threat, there was no official response from the Indian government by late evening. Officials said details of the proposed measure were unclear, noting that even the US embassy in New Delhi had no information beyond the president’s online post. The absence of clarity has left policymakers and businesses assessing potential implications, particularly for energy imports and strategic projects involving Iran. For India, the situation highlights the delicate balancing act it faces. As a strategic partner of the United States, New Delhi has also invested heavily in multilateral platforms like BRICS that prioritise strategic autonomy and South-South cooperation. Jaishankar’s emphasis on resilience and reformed multilateralism appears designed to signal continuity in India’s approach, even as external pressures mount. The unveiling of India’s BRICS 2026 vision thus comes at a moment of heightened global uncertainty. With the grouping expanded, global power centres shifting and economic coercion increasingly used as a policy tool, India’s chairship will be closely watched as a test of whether BRICS can translate rhetoric into coordinated action. As Trump’s tariff warning hangs over the bloc and Iran remains a flashpoint in global geopolitics, New Delhi’s challenge will be to steer BRICS toward cooperation without provoking deeper fault lines. Jaishankar’s carefully calibrated message suggests India intends to position itself as a bridge-builder within BRICS, advocating institutional reform and pragmatic collaboration while navigating an increasingly contested international landscape.
Iraq Arrests Deported Melbourne Crime Figure Kazem Hamad
P&C | Wednesday, 14 Jan. 2026
Melbourne | Planet & Commerce
Convicted drug trafficker and alleged organised crime boss Kazem Hamad, a central figure in Melbourne’s violent tobacco wars, has been arrested in Iraq following what Australian authorities describe as a months-long international manhunt. Hamad, who was deported from Australia in 2023, is accused by Iraqi authorities of large-scale drug importation, heroin smuggling and links to transnational crime syndicates spanning Australia and the Middle East. The Australian Federal Police confirmed Hamad’s identity on Wednesday, marking a significant development in efforts to dismantle criminal networks blamed for a wave of arson attacks, extortion rackets and violent intimidation across Victoria. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the arrest was the culmination of sustained intelligence work targeting what she described as the agency’s “number one offshore target”. According to Barrett, the AFP had deployed personnel overseas to gather intelligence on Hamad after his deportation, citing concerns that he continued to direct criminal activity from abroad. She said Australian authorities shared detailed information with Iraqi law enforcement late last year, prompting local agencies to launch their own investigation. Iraqi officials then made an independent decision to arrest Hamad based on their findings. Iraq’s National Center for International Judicial Cooperation announced the arrest in a statement, saying it was carried out in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs at the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. The NCIJC said the operation was conducted after securing approvals from the Supreme Judicial Council and was initiated by the First Karkh Investigation Court, which specialises in drug-related offences. In unusually strong language, the Iraqi authority alleged that Hamad was “one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world”. The statement accused him of importing large quantities of drugs into both Iraq and Australia, smuggling heroin, and maintaining close ties with some of the most prominent organised crime gangs operating in Australia. The NCIJC further claimed that these groups were responsible for shootings, murders, kidnappings, extortion, arson, fraud and money laundering on a global scale.
Australian police have long regarded Hamad, also known as Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami, as a pivotal figure in Melbourne’s illicit tobacco trade, which has been marred by violence and intimidation. Investigators allege he played a key role in orchestrating a series of firebombing attacks targeting rival operators and shop owners who refused to comply with extortion demands. Those alleged protection payments became colloquially known as the “Kaz tax” within Melbourne’s retail sector. The arrest has been welcomed by Victorian authorities. Mike Bush, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, said the force would continue to work closely with the AFP and international partners. Bush said organised crime inflicts widespread harm on communities and that removing senior figures from circulation remains a top priority for law enforcement. Hamad’s name has surfaced repeatedly in high-profile criminal investigations in Victoria. Police have previously told courts they believed he coordinated firebombing campaigns as a means of enforcing control over the illegal tobacco market. Senior officers have also confirmed that Hamad was examined as part of the investigation into the December 2024 firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue, though no charges were laid against him in that case before his deportation. His removal from Australia in 2023 was intended to disrupt his influence, but authorities have maintained that deportation alone does not neutralise organised crime figures who retain international networks. AFP officials say Hamad’s arrest underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in tackling syndicates that operate beyond national jurisdictions.
Despite the arrest, uncertainty remains over Hamad’s legal future. Australia’s Attorney-General’s Department declined to confirm whether an extradition request had been made or would be pursued. A spokesperson reiterated the government’s longstanding policy of not disclosing details about extradition matters or commenting on specific cases under consideration. Legal experts note that extradition between Australia and Iraq can be complex, particularly in cases involving serious criminal allegations and differing legal systems. Any potential transfer would likely involve prolonged judicial proceedings and diplomatic engagement. In the meantime, Iraqi authorities are expected to pursue their own prosecution based on alleged offences committed within their jurisdiction. The case highlights the increasingly global nature of Australia’s organised crime problem, particularly in illicit tobacco, narcotics and money laundering. Law enforcement agencies have warned that profits from illegal tobacco sales often bankroll other criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking and violent crime. The alleged involvement of overseas-based figures directing activities back into Australia has prompted a shift toward more aggressive international intelligence sharing. For residents and business owners in Melbourne affected by years of arson attacks and intimidation, Hamad’s arrest is being seen as a potential turning point. Police caution, however, that dismantling entrenched criminal networks requires sustained pressure and that removing one figure does not automatically end broader syndicate activity. As investigations continue in Iraq and Australian authorities assess their next steps, the arrest sends a clear message about the reach of international law enforcement cooperation. For the AFP, it represents what Commissioner Barrett described as a critical disruption to a figure she considers a threat to national security. For Hamad, it marks a dramatic fall from power, from an alleged kingpin operating across borders to a detainee facing serious charges far from the streets of Melbourne he once dominated.
Meloni Joins Macron Pressuring EU On Russia Talks
P&C | Wednesday, 14 Jan. 2026
Jerusalem | Planet & Commerce
Israel has announced an immediate withdrawal from seven United Nations agencies and affiliated bodies, sharply escalating its confrontation with multilateral institutions just days after the United States exited 66 international organisations. The decision, unveiled by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, follows what he described as a comprehensive internal review triggered by Washington’s sweeping pullback from global bodies and reflects a broader reassessment of Israel’s engagement with the UN system. Sa’ar said Israel would “immediately sever all contact” with a number of UN agencies that it accuses of institutional bias, politicisation and bureaucratic inefficiency. He added that cooperation with other international organisations would now be subject to further scrutiny, signalling that additional withdrawals could follow. The move underscores a growing alignment between Israel and the United States in challenging the post-war multilateral architecture that has long shaped global diplomacy. “The decision reflects a broader examination of organisations that consistently act against Israel or fail to function effectively,” Sa’ar said, stressing that the review was conducted in light of the US decision to withdraw from dozens of international bodies. According to Israeli officials, the reassessment concluded that continued participation in certain UN agencies no longer served Israel’s national interests. Israel has already disengaged from four UN agencies that were included in the US withdrawal announcement. Among the most contentious is the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict, which in 2024 placed the Israel Defense Forces on a blacklist over alleged violations involving children. Sa’ar denounced the move, arguing that Israel was unfairly singled out. “Israel is the only democratic country listed alongside ISIS and Boko Haram,” he said, describing the designation as “shameless” and politically motivated. Israel formally severed ties with the office in June last year, following months of diplomatic protest. Another major break came with UN Women, from which Israel withdrew after accusing the agency of ignoring sexual violence against Israeli women during the October 7, 2023 attacks. Sa’ar said Israel terminated its cooperation agreement and formally notified the UN Secretary-General that all engagement would cease from July 2024, arguing that selective silence on Israeli victims undermined the agency’s credibility.
Israel has also ended its involvement with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, both of which Israeli officials accuse of producing what they describe as “virulent anti-Israel reports” over many years. According to the foreign ministry, these bodies have repeatedly advanced narratives that Israel says are disconnected from economic realities and driven by political agendas. Beyond these four agencies, Israel has now confirmed it will withdraw from several additional UN-linked organisations. Among them is the UN Alliance of Civilisations, which Sa’ar said had failed in its stated mission of promoting interfaith dialogue. Founded by Turkey and Spain, the alliance has instead “served for years as a platform for attacks against Israel,” he said, while excluding Israeli participation from key discussions. Israel will also disengage from UN Energy, which Sa’ar cited as emblematic of what he called the UN’s “excessive and inefficient bureaucracy.” He argued that overlapping mandates and limited practical outcomes made continued involvement unjustifiable. In addition, Israel will sever ties with the Global Forum on Migration and Development, part of a broader retreat from forums it views as ineffective or hostile. The Israeli foreign minister said his ministry has been instructed to conduct a thorough review of Israel’s engagement with remaining international organisations, in coordination with other government departments. That process, he noted, would determine whether further withdrawals or downgrades in cooperation are warranted. The announcement comes against the backdrop of the United States’ recent decision to pull out of 66 global bodies, a move that has reverberated across diplomatic circles. Under President Donald Trump, Washington has repeatedly criticised multilateral institutions as bloated, unaccountable and biased, particularly in relation to Israel. Although Sa’ar did not explicitly cite US pressure, Israeli officials acknowledge that the American pullout provided both political cover and strategic impetus for Jerusalem’s own review.
Critics warn that Israel’s withdrawals risk further isolating the country within the international system at a time of heightened global scrutiny over the Gaza war and broader regional tensions. Supporters within Israel, however, argue that disengaging from hostile forums allows the country to redirect diplomatic resources toward bilateral partnerships and alternative multilateral platforms where it believes fairer treatment is possible. UN officials have yet to issue a formal response to Israel’s latest decision, but diplomats privately expressed concern that the trend could weaken international coordination on issues ranging from humanitarian protection to economic development. Some observers note that while withdrawal sends a strong political signal, it may also reduce Israel’s ability to influence debates from within. For Israel’s government, the move is framed as a corrective rather than a retreat. Sa’ar emphasised that Israel remains committed to genuine international cooperation but will no longer participate in bodies that, in its view, undermine their own mandates through politicisation. “Further steps could follow after additional review,” he said, leaving the door open for deeper disengagement. The development highlights a broader crisis of confidence in global governance institutions. As major powers reassess their roles and commitments, the UN system faces mounting pressure to reform structures and processes that critics say have failed to keep pace with geopolitical realities. Israel’s decision, closely following the US pullout, adds momentum to that debate. Whether other countries follow suit remains to be seen, but for now, Israel’s withdrawal from seven UN agencies marks a significant shift in its multilateral posture. It also signals that the fallout from Washington’s decision to exit dozens of international bodies is still unfolding, with ripple effects likely to reshape diplomatic engagement well beyond Israel and the United States in the months ahead.
Trump Rejects International Law, Redefines World Order
P&C | Wednesday, 14 Jan. 2026
Tehran | Planet & Commerce
Iran is set to carry out what human rights groups describe as a chilling escalation of repression, with 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani scheduled to be executed today, marking the first confirmed death sentence directly linked to the ongoing anti-government protests against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The execution is expected to take place publicly, after Soltani’s family was granted just ten minutes for a final farewell, underscoring the speed and severity of the regime’s response to dissent. For days after Soltani’s arrest, his family had no information about his whereabouts. He was detained on January 8 near his home in the Fardis district of Karaj, northwest of Tehran, during nationwide demonstrations that have now entered their 20th day. When security officials finally contacted the family, it was not to notify them of charges or a court date, but to inform them that Soltani had already been sentenced to death. According to reports by IranWire, authorities told the family they would be allowed to see him once, and only briefly. The ten-minute meeting was explicitly described as a final goodbye. Family members were also warned not to speak to the media or to anyone outside a narrow circle, with threats that further arrests would follow if they disobeyed. Soltani has been charged with “Moharebeh,” or “enmity against God,” one of the most serious accusations under Iranian law and a charge frequently used against protesters and political dissidents. Conviction carries an automatic death sentence. Human rights organisations say the charge has become a blunt political weapon, deployed to terrorise society during moments of mass unrest. The speed of the process has alarmed legal experts. Soltani was arrested, disappeared, sentenced and scheduled for execution within a single week. Rights lawyers say such a timeline violates even Iran’s own criminal code. Mohammad Oliaifard, a human rights lawyer, told IranWire that it is “legally impossible” to arrest and execute someone within three days. Even with a state-appointed lawyer, he said, the minimum legal process would take at least ten days, and far longer if appeals were allowed. According to sources close to the family, Soltani was denied access to a lawyer and no formal court hearing was held. A relative who attempted to intervene was reportedly blocked and threatened by security agents, who allegedly told him there was “no file to review” and that the sentence was final. The family believes Soltani has been held by the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the powerful security body directly loyal to Khamenei and tasked with crushing internal dissent.
The execution comes amid a sweeping crackdown on protests that began over record inflation and the collapse of Iran’s currency but have since evolved into a direct challenge to clerical rule. Demonstrations have spread to more than 280 locations across all provinces. Rights groups estimate that at least 2,000 people have been killed in the crackdown and around 20,000 arrested, figures that recall the violence of Iran’s most turbulent historical moments. Internet services have been largely shut down for over five days, plunging the country into digital isolation. Activists say protesters had relied on Starlink to send images and videos abroad, exposing the scale of the violence. Iranian authorities reportedly first jammed satellite signals using military-grade equipment and then deployed militias to raid rooftops and homes, confiscating terminals and punishing users.
Amnesty International has highlighted Soltani’s case as a warning sign that Iran may be returning to a pattern of swift trials and arbitrary executions. The organisation said such measures appear designed to deter dissent through fear rather than law, and warned that Soltani’s execution could set a precedent for many more. Friends and family describe Soltani as an ordinary young man. He worked in the clothing industry, had recently joined a private firm, and was passionate about fashion, bodybuilding and sports. His social media presence shows no signs of political extremism, only a quiet personal life. According to those close to him, he had received threatening messages from security agencies even before his arrest, but refused to stop attending protests. Experts say the case bears all the hallmarks of what they describe as “field executions,” summary killings carried out under the cover of legal terminology but without due process. Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad said Soltani’s execution demonstrates how the Islamic Republic systematically crushes dissent. “Shut down the internet. Kill protesters in the streets. Start rapid executions to terrorise society into silence,” she wrote on X.
Iran is already one of the world’s most prolific executioners, second only to China, according to rights groups. In 2024 alone, at least 975 people were executed, the highest number in nearly two decades. Observers say the surge reflects the regime’s increasing reliance on capital punishment as a tool of political control. International pressure has been mounting. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced support for Iranian protesters, urging them to continue demonstrations and warning Tehran of “very strong action” if executions proceed. His administration has floated punitive economic measures, including a proposed 25 percent tariff on countries doing business with Iran, while also signalling that multiple options, including military ones, are under consideration. Despite these warnings, the Iranian leadership appears determined to press ahead. State media has portrayed the protests as foreign-backed unrest and framed harsh punishments as necessary to restore order. Pro-government rallies have been broadcast, even as reports of mass arrests and killings continue to emerge from within the blackout. What remains unclear is how many similar cases are unfolding beyond public view. With independent reporting nearly impossible and families silenced by fear, rights groups worry that Soltani’s execution may represent only a fraction of the repression underway. For many Iranians, his fate has become a symbol of the regime’s willingness to use death as a message. As dawn approaches, Erfan Soltani’s execution is expected to mark a grim milestone in Iran’s protest movement. A young man arrested for defying warnings not to protest, tried in secret, denied legal defence, and granted only ten minutes to say goodbye, his case encapsulates the stakes of Iran’s current crisis. Whether his death will silence dissent or further inflame it remains uncertain, but for now, it stands as a stark testament to the human cost of the confrontation between the Iranian state and its people.