Iranian justice announced on Monday three new death sentences linked to the protest movement sparked in Iran by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.
The 22-year-old died on September 16, 2022, three days after she was arrested by the vice police for violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code, which includes the wearing of the veil in public for women.
According to Mizan Onlinethe judiciary agency, Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saïd Yaghoubi, accused of being involved in the deaths of three members of the security forces during demonstrations in the central province of Isfahan on November 16, 2022, have were sentenced to death at first instance.
They were found guilty of “moharebeh (war against God in Persian)”, clarified Mizan Online.
In the same trial, two other people were sentenced to prison terms. Among them, footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani, 26, who plays for a local club, was sentenced to a combined 26 years in prison. But according to the law, he should serve the longest of the sentences which is 16 years.
All of the convictions announced on Monday can be appealed to the Supreme Court, she added.
” Treason “
Iranian authorities generally refer to the protests as “riots” encouraged by countries and organizations hostile to Iran.
They claim that hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed during the protests and thousands arrested.
On Monday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stressed that there were “undoubtedly economic problems” in the country. “But can these problems be solved by burning garbage cans and causing riots in the streets? »
“Without a doubt, these actions are treason, and the responsible institutions treat treason seriously and fairly,” he said, quoted by his site.
The new death sentences bring to 17 the number of people sentenced to death in connection with the protest, according to a count compiled by AFP from official announcements.
Among them, four were executed and two had their sentences upheld by the Supreme Court. The others await new trials or may appeal.
The latest two executions, announced on Saturday, sparked an international outcry: two men found guilty of killing a paramilitary during the protests were hanged.
On Monday, Pope Francis called for an end to capital punishment around the world, including in Iran.
“The death penalty cannot be used for so-called state justice, because it does not constitute a deterrent or bring justice to the victims, but only fuels the thirst for revenge”, he said. said.
In Paris, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ruled that “death sentences and executions […]which are added to the many other serious and unacceptable violations of fundamental rights and freedoms committed by the Iranian authorities, cannot take the place of a response to the legitimate aspirations for freedom of the Iranian people”.
According to Amnesty International, Iran is the country that executes the most people sentenced to death outside of China.