Iran executed a man guilty of stabbing a security guard and blocking a thoroughfare in Tehran for the first time as a result of the ongoing widespread protests in the country.
Unrest has arisen in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian, in the custody of the morality police on September 16. The protests constitute one of the Islamic Republic’s greatest difficulties since its creation in 1979.
Human Rights Activists in Iran report that at least 475 protesters have been killed and more than 18,000 have been imprisoned in a harsh security response.
The Iranian judiciary-run news service Mizan identified the demonstrator who was executed on Thursday as Mohsen Shekari. It stated that he had been convicted by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, which generally conducts trials behind closed doors in which defendants are not permitted to choose their own attorneys or even view the evidence against them.
Mohsen Shekari, an Iranian protester, was hanged after being convicted of “waging war against God” for slashing a security officer and blocking a thoroughfare. He was also convicted of blocking a street.
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According to the outlet, Shekari was accused of blocking a street and machete-attacking a member of the security forces, who required stitches.
According to the Mizan report, Shekari admitted that a friend had given him money to attack the security forces.
Shekari was arrested on September 25 and found guilty of “moharebeh” on November 20. “moharebeh” is the Farsi word for “waging war against God.” This crime carries a death sentence.
Mizan stated that Shekari’s attorney’s appeal against the punishment was unsuccessful.
State media released a video of a purported confession by Shekari, in which he appears with a bruise on his right face.
Iranians have protested for months over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in morality police detention on September 16
According to rights organizations, Shekari was tortured and compelled to confess. German and British officials criticized his execution.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated, “The Iranian regime’s contempt for humanity knows no bounds.” However, the prospect of punishment will not suppress people’s desire for liberty.
James Cleverly, the British foreign minister, said he was “outraged” by the news of the killing.
“The international community cannot ignore the heinous brutality done by the Iranian dictatorship against its own people,” tweeted Cleverly.
According to Amnesty International, Iranian authorities are seeking the death penalty for at least 21 individuals in “fake trials aimed to terrify those engaged in the popular revolt that has shook Iran.”
“The Iranian authorities must immediately vacate all death sentences, desist from seeking the death penalty, and dismiss all accusations against those imprisoned for their nonviolent involvement in protests,” the report stated.
Iran has accused foreign countries, especially the United States, for the turmoil, but has shown no evidence of outside influence.
In relation to the protests, the judiciary has stated that ten others have been sentenced to death on allegations of “waging war against God” or “corruption on Earth.” The defendants’ identities have not been released.
Masoud Setayeshi, a spokesman for the judiciary, announced on Tuesday that five individuals were sentenced to death for the murder of Rouhollah Ajamian, a member of the Basij militia.
Thursday, Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency reported that five suspected Islamic State militants had been prosecuted with “war against God” for their role in the October slaughter of Shi’ite pilgrims.
Iran is among the world’s leaders in terms of executions. For the first time in five years, according to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, the number topped 400 by September of this year.
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