Iran Executed These Two Young Men For “Enmity Against God” For Taking Part In The Mahsa Amini Protests
Iran has carried out its first known executions over the recent anti-government protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini.
Iran has carried out its first known executions over the recent anti-government protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini after she was detained by “morality” police for allegedly breaking the country’s mandatory hijab law.
The government announced on Friday Dec. 9 that 23-year-old Mohsen Shekari had been executed by hanging for “moharebeh” – or “enmity against God” on Thursday.
He had been accused of blocking a main road in Tehran and wounding a member of a paramilitary force with a knife on Sep. 25.
State media published a video of what it said was Shekari’s confession. A bruise is visible on his right cheek.
On Nov. 20, a court found him guilty of “enmity against god” and sentenced him to death after what rights groups say was an unfair and sham trial.
Shekari is one of 11 protesters who have been sentenced to death so far.
The government announced that another man, Majidreza Rahnavard, was also executed on Thursday.
Rahnavard had also been convicted of “enmity against God” after being accused of stabbing two members of the paramilitary force to death
News of Shekari’s execution – which came just days after a government official said that the “morality” police had been abolished – drew widespread condemnation from rights groups and the international leaders.
Amnesty International said the execution showed that Iranian authorities were resorting to the death penalty as a weapon of political repression to instill fear in the public in an attempt to try to end the uprising.
“The international community must go beyond expressions of outrage and condemnation and take all necessary measures to pursue accountability for all officials,” it said.
More than 18,000 people have been arrested in the protests, which broke out three months ago, according to rights groups, with many also tried under “moharebeh” charges.
