NGOs warn more Iranians could be executed over protests

Human rights groups warned on Sunday that large numbers of Iranians sentenced to death for participating in protests in the Islamic Republic could soon be executed, despite international outrage over the first execution a few days ago.

A wave of protests has rocked Iran since September 16, when the 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini died after being detained by the morality police for not wearing an Islamic headscarf.

According to the latest report of the Norwegian-based non-governmental organization Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 458 people died in the suppression of the demonstrations and at least 14,000 people were arrested according to the UN.

Mohsen Shekari, 23, convicted of injuring a paramilitary man, was executed last Thursday after a trial that multiple human rights groups described as “nonsense”.

Ten more people were sentenced to death for their participation in what the authorities described as “rioting” demonstrations, Iranian justice was told.

According to Amnesty International, Iran is “now preparing to execute” 22-year-old Mahan Sadrat after a speedy and “unfair” trial in which he was found guilty of pulling a knife during protests.

“Stronger” response

He was sentenced to death on November 3 and transferred to Rajai Shahr prison near Tehran on Saturday, which the UK-based NGO warned could amount to “imminent execution”.

According to the IHR, this sentence was upheld by the Federal Supreme Court, meaning it could be executed at any time.

He denounced that he “didn’t have access to his lawyer like others sentenced to death” throughout the process.

Amnesty International warned that the life of another youth, Sahand Nurmohammadzadeh, who was sentenced to death on 6 November for “kicking railings and burning garbage and tires”, is also in danger.

Amnesty International and IHR also referred to the case of death row doctor Hamid Gharehasanlu, who was allegedly tortured and forced to testify against his wife.

The international response must be “stronger than ever” to prevent these executions, according to IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.

Besides the European Union and the UN, many western countries condemned the execution of Mohsen Shekari. Canada and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on top Iranian officials.

But human rights activists and NGOs want governments to take a tougher response, such as severing diplomatic relations or expelling special envoys.

According to Amnesty International, Iran is one of the countries most sentenced to death after China. According to the UST, more than 500 people were executed in 2022.

Earlier this month, the Supreme National Security Council said “more than 200 people”, including civilians and security personnel, have died in Iran since September 16. A Revolutionary Guards general reported that more than 300 people were killed.