Iran has carried out an execution on a first known prisoner to have participated in the ongoing nationwide protest in that country.
This is the first ever such death penalty carried out by Tehran.
Haaretz reports that according to Tehran, the man was convicted for attacking a member of the security forces.
He was accused of blocking a street and using a machete during the attack.
The man, Mohsen Shekari, was executed on Thursday morning.
He was arrested on 25 September and convicted on 20 November on a charge of “moharebeh”, a farsi word meaning “waging war against God”.
The execution comes as another prisoner faces the death penalty for his involvement in the demonstrations.
The protest came as an outcry against Iran’s morality police brutality after Mahsa Amini died in police custody in September. Mahsa was arrested for “improperly” wearing her hijab. She died allegedly due to being assaulted by police.
Activists have warned that others may or could be put to death in the near future. They say a slew of people have so far received death sentences over their involvement in the protest.
Mohmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of Oslo-based activist group Iran Human Rights, wrote on Twitter: The “execution of #MohsenShekari must be met with STRONG reactions otherwise we will be facing daily executions of protestors.
“This must have rapid practical consequences internationally.”
The Mizan news agency, run by the country’s judiciary, said Shekari had been convicted in Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, which typically holds closed-door cases that have been internationally criticised for not allowing those on trial to pick their own lawyers or even see the evidence against them.
Compiled by Mashudu Mabila
Pictured above: Protests in Iran
Image source: @Haaretz.com
