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Nationwide protests that erupted after the death of 22-year-old
Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16 represent one of
the biggest challenges to the Islamic Republic since its
establishment in 1979.
Authorities have been cracking down on the protests and on
Monday, the Revolutionary Guards encouraged the judiciary to
swiftly and decisively issue judgements against those accused of
"crimes against the security of the nation and Islam".
The Tasnim news agency named the executed man as Mohsen Shekari,
but gave no further details.
State media published a video of what it said was Shekari's
confession where he appears with a bruise on his right cheek. He
admitted to striking a member of the Basij militia with a knife
and to blocking a road with his motorbike alongside one of his
friends.
Rights groups have said Shekari was tortured and forced to
confess. Germany condemned his execution.
"The Iranian regime's contempt for humanity knows no bounds,"
said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. "But the threat
of execution will not stifle people's will for freedom."
Amnesty International has said Iranian authorities are seeking
the death penalty for at least 21 people in what it called "sham
trials designed to intimidate those participating in the popular
uprising that has rocked Iran".
"The Iranian authorities must immediately quash all death
sentences, refrain from seeking the imposition of the death
penalty and drop all charges against those arrested in
connection with their peaceful participation in protests," it
said.
Iran has blamed the unrest on its foreign foes including the
United States.
Judiciary spokesman Masoud Setayeshi said on Tuesday that five
people indicted in the killing of a Basij militia member,
Rouhollah Ajamian, had been sentenced to death in a verdict that
they can appeal.
Iran's semi-official news agency ISNA reported on Thursday that
five suspected members of the Islamic State militant group have
been charged with "war against God" for their role in the
massacre of Shi'ite pilgrims in October, a crime that is
punishable by death.
Even before the recent unrest, executions had been rising in
Iran. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Volker Turk has said the number this year reportedly surpassed
400 by September for the first time in five years.
(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Additional reporting by Miranda
Murray in Berlin; Editing by Michael Georgy, Crispian Balmer and
Angus MacSwan)
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