Protest in Iran: three new death sentences

Iranian justice announced on Monday three new death sentences linked to a protest movement sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old died on September 16, 2022, three days after being arrested by the vice police for violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code, which includes wearing a veil in public for women.

Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yagubi, accused of being involved in the deaths of three members of the security forces during demonstrations in the central province of Isfahan on November 16, 2022, were sentenced to death in the first case, according to the judicial authority Mizan Online. They were convicted of “mokharebeh” (war against God in Persian), according to Mizan Online.

In the same court, two more people were sentenced to prison terms. Among them, 26-year-old football player Amir Nasr-Azadani, who plays for a local club, was sentenced to a total of 26 years in prison. But by law, he must serve the longest of the sentences, which is 16 years.

All convictions announced on Monday are subject to appeal to the Supreme Court. Iranian authorities commonly refer to the protests as “riots” encouraged by countries and organizations hostile to Iran. They claim that hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, were killed during the protests and thousands were arrested.

international protest

On Monday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stressed that there are “undoubtedly economic problems” in the country. “But can these problems be solved by burning garbage cans and rioting in the streets? Without a doubt, these actions are high treason, and high treason is taken seriously and fairly by the responsible institutions. »

The new death sentences brought up to 17 people sentenced to death in connection with the protest, according to a tally compiled by AFP based on official announcements. Among them, four were executed, and the sentences of two were upheld by the Supreme Court. The rest are waiting for new lawsuits or may file an appeal.

The latest two executions, announced on Saturday, sparked an international outcry: two men found guilty of killing a paramilitary during protests were hanged.

After China, Iran executes the most people on death row

On Monday, Pope Francis called for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide, including in Iran. “The death penalty cannot be used for so-called public justice because it is not a deterrent and does not provide justice for the victims, but only fuels the desire for revenge,” he said.

In Paris, the Foreign Office ruled that “death sentences and executions (…), which come in addition to the many other serious and unacceptable violations of fundamental rights and freedoms committed by the Iranian authorities, cannot be a substitute for retaliatory measures. legitimate aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom.”

According to Amnesty International, Iran is the country that executes the most people on death row outside of China.