Iran on Thursday executed for the first time a man sentenced to death for his involvement in the protest movement, sparking an outcry abroad and warning NGOs of more executions imminent.
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The Islamic Republic of Iran is the scene of protests sparked by the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who died three days after being arrested by vice squads. She accused him of violating the strict dress code, according to which women in particular have to wear the veil in public.
Mohsen Shekari, 23, was found guilty and sentenced to death for blocking a road and injuring a paramilitary guard at the start of the protests, after a trial was branded a show trial by human rights groups.
Others face execution after being sentenced to hanging in connection with the protests, the groups have warned.
“Mohsen Shekari, a rioter who blocked Sattar Khan Boulevard on September 25 and stabbed a Bassij with a machete, was executed in Tehran,” announced Mizan Online, a judicial organ.
The Bassidji militia is linked to the Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s ideological army.
The non-governmental organization Amnesty International was “horrified” by the execution and denounced an “unfair sham trial”. “His execution exposes the inhumanity of Iran’s so-called judicial system, as dozens of others face the same fate. »
“Sinister Escalation”
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights (IHR), called for a strong international response or “we will face mass executions of protesters”. “Mohsen Shekari was executed after a hasty trial without a lawyer. »
The execution also sparked outrage in Western countries and at the UN.
The United States denounced a “sinister escalation” and pledged that Iranian power would be held accountable.
Berlin said that “the Iranian regime’s contempt for human beings knows no bounds.” A source close to the Foreign Office said on Thursday that the Iranian ambassador had been called to Berlin.
No further details have been leaked about this summons to the German ministry.
London said it was “outraged” and Rome judged that the “unacceptable repression by the Iranian authorities cannot leave the international community indifferent”.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has ruled that the death penalty is “incompatible with human rights”.
The online media 1500tasvir published footage of the moment the Shekari family heard the news of the execution outside their home in Tehran. They show a woman writhing in pain and repeatedly shouting “Mohsen! »
According to Mizan Online, Mohsen Shekari had been accused of being an “enemy of God” and sentenced by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on November 1. His appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court on November 20.
“#Do not run”
The Iranian was found guilty of “drawing his weapon with intent to kill” and “causing terror,” according to the judiciary.
The Iranian agency Fars, which is close to the authorities, broadcast a video of Mohsen Shekari recalling the attack during his detention. “Forced confessions,” denounced the IHR.
An Iranian judiciary on Tuesday sentenced five people to death for killing a paramilitary amid protests, bringing the number of protest-related death sentences to 11.
The Iranian authorities refer to these demonstrations as “riots” promoted primarily by the United States, their sworn enemy.
The suppression of the movement has killed at least 458 people since September 16, according to the latest IHR report.
According to Amnesty International, Iran executes more convicts than any other country except China. According to IHR, more than 500 people were executed there in 2022.
The Free Speech Group, Article 19, called for urgent action “as the lives of others on death row are in imminent danger”.
Former Iranian football star Ali Karimi warned on Twitter: “If we remain silent today, tomorrow we will use the hashtag Don’t Execute for Iran’s other children.”