Iran's Islamic regime is now carrying out a series of protest-related executions after the first victim, Mohsen Shekari, was executed on December 8.
Shekari was hanged after Iran's Revolutionary court found him guilty of "moharebeh" (enmity against god). He was hanged after a staged court trial, less than three months after being accused of being a rioter.
This is the beautiful soul Khamenei’s hangmen took from us today: 23 y.o Mohsen Shekari.
Many others are threatened with the same fate.#StopExecutionsInIran pic.twitter.com/bLg9rflNpx— 1500tasvir_en (@1500tasvir_en) December 8, 2022
On the same day, several UN-appointed independent human rights experts condemned the regime's callous, brutal, and pointless executions. In a tweet, the UN accused the regime of conducting unfair trials and committing "arbitrary deprivation of life."
#IranProtests2022 @UN_SPExperts condemn today’s execution of a 23-year-old demonstrator convicted in the context of nation-wide protests in #Iran. “Executions following unfair trials constitute an arbitrary deprivation of life,” warn the experts. pic.twitter.com/HsXTDznaqg
— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) December 8, 2022
Shekari was just the first, among possibly hundreds more that are in-lined for execution. They are victims of the regime's attempt to protect itself from its people. For months, Iran has seen escalating protests magnified by Mahsa Amini's death in September.
Roulla, an Iranian political activist and researcher, said the regime could crack down on the surface of the protests for a while. "This is not going to be over," the activist said.
"We have crossed the threshold of revolution," Roulla added.
In a state of increasing panic, Iranian Parliament members loyal to the regime urged the judiciary to sentence protesters to the death penalty.
.@UN_HRC: 227 Iranian MPs call for the regime to execute protesters. In a statement read today in parliament, the lawmakers called the protesters ‘mohareb’ -- which in Islamic law means ‘enemy of God’.
When is your urgent session, condemnation, inquiry?https://t.co/HerwyIe7Rl— UN Watch (@UNWatch) November 7, 2022
Suffering only condemnation after Shekari was killed, the regime carried out more executions over the first week of December.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, warned that Iran would continue the executions if it doesn't suffer any consequences. "The international community must immediately and strongly react to this execution," Moghaddam said.
"If Mohsen Shekari's execution is not met with serious consequences for the government, we will face mass execution of protesters," he warned.
On December 12, Majidreza Rahnavard was executed by the regime less than a week after Shekari's execution. Just like Shekari, Rahnavard went through a sham publicity trial and was executed in less than three months. Both victims were denied the right to choose a lawyer by the Revolutionary Court.
Rahnavard was accused of stabbing two members of a paramilitary force. A lawyer based in Iran said the Revolutionary Court does not have jurisdiction over murder cases.
23-year-old Iranian protestor Majidreza Rahnavard's dying wishes--before being hanged--reflect the living wishes of so many young Iranians living under theocratic tyranny.
"Don't cry, don't read the Koran, don't pray"
"Be joyful. Play happy music"pic.twitter.com/5TMHDEW5mK— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) December 15, 2022
Moghaddam once again urged western leaders to take action. "This crime must be met with serious consequences for the Islamic Republic," he said. He also warned that if left unchallenged, the regime is at a "serious risk of mass execution of protesters."
