Iran carried out its second execution linked to the anti-government protests challenging the country’s theocracy on December 12. Our Observer, Hadi Ghaemi, who works as the Executive Director of the ‘Centre for Human Rights in Iran’, told us this “killing spree” to crush protests is likely to shift into “high gear” very soon. At least 11 protesters are currently on death row. Meanwhile, 28 others, including children, are facing charges that carry the death penalty.
Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, was hanged “in public” early on Monday, in the city of Mashhad. He was convicted of “waging a war against God” after he was accused of fatally stabbing two members of the paramilitary Basij, a volunteer force often deployed by Iranian authorities to suppress dissent.
