In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the distance between a street protest and the gallows is now measured in days. For 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, a single act of dissent has culminated in a death warrant, highlighting a judicial system where 'justice' is dispensed with lethal velocity.
The young protester is set for execution on Wednesday for joining an anti-government demonstration. His story serves as a harrowing reminder that for many, a cry for freedom is being answered with a noose. It also sparks fears that thousands more are facing the same fate, but it's hard to tell due to the internet blackout, which is reportedly done by the government, not for security but to conceal the truth and silence the nation in the dark.
