Iran executes three men over January protest unrest

Iran has executed three men accused of carrying out armed unrest during January’s anti-government protests, state media reported, according to the BBC.

Iran’s state news agency Tasnim named the men as Hassan Dioband, Hamid Kazemi and Reza Zanganeh. They were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and grenades, using bladed weapons and firearms, and setting fire to public facilities in Karaj, west of Tehran.

Tasnim said the Supreme Court upheld their convictions and found them guilty of “participating in operational activities on behalf of the Israeli Zionist regime, the United States and hostile groups”. The alleged damage included an electricity substation in Karaj, which caused power outages in some areas.

Dioband was arrested on 11 January after an investigation identified him as a suspect in attacks on public property and incitement to violence. Ten other people accused of participating in unrest under his supervision were later arrested. Reuters reported that they received prison terms of between five and 10 years.

The executions are the latest in a series linked to the protests, including those of people accused of having ties to Israel and the United States. Executions in Iran have increased since US-Israeli strikes on the country began in late February.

The protest movement began in December last year, driven by the high cost of living, and quickly grew into widespread anti-government demonstrations. It peaked on 8 and 9 January.

Iranian authorities reported more than 3,000 deaths and blamed the violence on “terrorist acts” orchestrated by the US and Israel. Foreign-based non-governmental organisations gave higher figures, while the BBC received multiple accounts from Iranians saying security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters.

The executions followed a warning from UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who said he was alarmed by the rise in death sentences. In August, Türk said at least 56 people had been executed on national security-related charges since 19 March, including 27 in cases linked to January’s nationwide anti-government protests.

Iran is believed to be the world’s second-most prolific executioner after China. Amnesty International said Iran put at least 2,159 people to death last year, the highest figure recorded since 1981. The total included 45 executions of suspected dissidents on national security-related charges.