The nationwide protests, now in their third month, erupted after the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini on September 16 while in the custody of morality police enforcing strict mandatory dress code laws. The protests have turned into a popular uprising by angry Iranians from all walks of life, posing one of the worst legitimacy challenges to the clerical leadership since the 1979 revolution. “Majid Reza Rahnavard was hanged in public at [the holy Shia city of] Mashahd this morning… was sentenced to death for ‘waging war against God’ after stabbing to death two members of the security forces,” Mizan said. Activists on social media criticized the execution of 23-year-old Rahnavard as a “criminal act” by the clerical establishment to deter dissent. Iran’s hanging on Thursday of another young man, Mohsen Sekari, who was convicted of stabbing a security guard and closing a street in Tehran during protests, was widely condemned by the United States and its allies. . Rights groups said Shekari was tortured and forced to confess.
At least 20 more people face the death penalty
Amnesty International said Iranian authorities were seeking the death penalty for at least 21 people in what it called “sham trials designed to intimidate those involved in the popular uprising that has rocked Iran”. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday the bloc would agree to a “very tough” sanctions package against Iran to show its support for peaceful protesters. Blaming the unrest on foreign enemies such as the United States and Israel, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani on Monday dismissed Western criticism of rights abuses during the crackdown as meddling in Iran’s state affairs. The riots were closely watched by Israel, where a national security official said the executions did not appear to deter protesters and could “box in the regime”. “Because he can only respond with force, this has reinforced for the public the grievance they are complaining about,” the Israeli official told Reuters. “There’s no putting that genie back in the bottle.” Iranian state media broadcast footage of a man, identified as Rahnavard, stabbing another man who crashed into a parked motorcycle and then stabbing another person soon after. Mizan said Rahnavard was arrested when he tried to leave the country 23 days ago. He said his sentence was upheld by a higher court. Human rights group HRANA reported that by Sunday 488 protesters had been killed, including 68 minors. It said 62 members of the security forces were also killed. As many as 18,259 protesters are believed to have been arrested, it said. While the United Nations says the protests have claimed more than 300 lives, Iran’s top state security body said 200 people, including security forces, died in the unrest.
