Iran has executed three men on national security charges after they participated in large protests in January, which involved clashes with authorities and resulted in thousands of deaths.
Tasnim News Agency, Iran’s official media, reported that authorities executed three men accused of inciting unrest and using weapons during anti-government protests in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, last January.
The three suspects—Hassan Diyaband, Hamid Kazemi, and Reza Sanganeh—were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and grenades, using sharp weapons and firearms, and setting fire to public utilities, causing power outages in some areas.
The Supreme Court upheld death sentences, ruling that the defendants acted on behalf of the “Zionist Israeli regime, the United States, and enemy groups.” Additionally, ten others arrested in the same network received prison terms ranging from five to ten years.
The protests began in December last year over rising living costs and escalated into major anti-government demonstrations on January 8-9, during which violent clashes with authorities occurred. Iranian officials reported over 3,000 deaths, blaming terrorism directed by the U.S. and Israel.
Meanwhile, international NGOs and foreign media have stated that the actual death toll is higher than official figures, reporting that security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters.
Executions in Iran have sharply increased, especially after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran in late February, sparking a prolonged conflict that continues today.
Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed deep concern over the rising use of the death penalty, noting that from 19 March to August, at least 56 people were executed on security charges, with 27 linked to the January protests.
Amnesty International reported that Iran executed at least 2,159 people last year, the highest number since 1981.
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Source:bbc