Protestors in cars have gathered outside the jail in Esfahan (Isfahan) in an attempt to stop the execution of three political prisoners.

The demonstrators drove to the prison in central Iran to protest Wednesday night. Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi, and Saeed Yaqoubi are being held in Esfahan, awaiting the death sentence handed down in a trial condemned as a travesty of justice by human rights campaigners.

They were convicted over the death of two IRGC’s Basij militia members and a police officer in protests of November last year, in what Persian media have dubbed the ‘Isfahan House’ case.

Security forces’ gunfire was heard around the jail during the protest.

The three political prisoners wrote from jail on Wednesday urging the people to stop their execution.

Describing themselves as "children of Iran" in the letter, the three prisoners said: "Hello. We ask our dear fellow citizens not to let them kill us. We need your help. We need your support."

On Sunday night, demonstrators had gathered outside the prison hoping to stop the feared hangings.

Opposition activists say the death penalty is being used against the Isfahan House three as an intimidation tactic to stop further protests.

Campaigners say the prisoners were tortured into confessions, and there is no reliable evidence against them.

Iranian expatriate communities plan demonstrations against the executions in cities worldwide on Saturday, May 20.