DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — On Saturday, Iran executed a man accused of being involved in a deadly attack on security forces during the nationwide protests that erupted in 2022. The judiciary's official news agency, Mizan Online, reported that the individual was Mehran Bahramian.
Bahramian was said to have opened fire on a security vehicle during the unrest in December 2022, resulting in the death of one officer and causing injuries to others. This incident occurred in Semirom county, located in Isfahan province. The report confirmed that Iran's Supreme Court upheld the death sentence against Bahramian.
The execution of Bahramian marks the 12th known execution linked to the protests that swept through Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman. Amini died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress code enforced by the country. Her death triggered mass demonstrations across the nation.
In June 2023, Iran executed Abbas Korkouri, who was convicted of shooting and killing seven individuals during the same protests. Human rights activists claim that these executions form part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent within the country.
International human rights organizations have expressed serious concerns over the manner in which these executions are carried out. They argue that many are conducted without sufficient evidence and behind closed doors, raising questions about the fairness of the judicial process. According to United Nations estimates, Iran carried out nearly 1,000 executions in 2023, making it one of the countries with the highest execution rates globally.
Amnesty International has reported that individuals on death row may face execution for politically motivated charges. The organization has warned that these executions demonstrate a "ruthless" approach from the Iranian authorities, who utilize the death penalty as a means of political repression, especially during times of national crisis. This tactic is intended to intimidate the population and stifle any potential dissent.
Following the execution of two men in secret in July, Amnesty issued a statement emphasizing that these actions serve to highlight the government's use of the death penalty as a tool for instigating fear among the populace. This situation depicts a troubling trend within the Iranian judicial system, where capital punishment is employed to maintain control over dissent and opposition.
