SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – Since Iran’s nationwide protests in response to the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini under police custody began, 100 people have been sentenced to death, according to human rights organizations.
According to the Norway-based Iranian Human Rights organization (IHRNGO), five women are among those in danger of being executed.
The organization warned that the actual number of protesters facing execution is likely to be much higher because their families are under pressure to remain silent.
“This is a minimum, as most families are under pressure to stay quiet. The real number is believed to be much higher,” the organization reported.
Earlier this month, Iran’s “revolutionary courts” executed two 23-year-old men, Mohsen Shakari and Majid Reza Rahnavard.
Iran and Rojhelat (Iranian Kurdistan) have been experiencing protests and tensions since Mahsa Amini’s death on September 16.
Over the course of the recent nationwide protests, at least 476 people, including 64 children and 34 women, have been killed by security forces. The increase in the death toll is related to cases that have been verified in the past two months since the protests began.
Protesters are accused by Iranian authorities of having “ties to foreigners” and trying to “undermine stability and security in the country.”
1. At least 476 people including 64 children and 34 women, have so been killed by security forces in the current nationwide protests across #Iran. Furthermore, at least 100 protesters are currently at risk of execution, death penalty charges or sentences.
#StopExecutionsInIran pic.twitter.com/iqSCKG2eUN— Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) (@IHRights) December 27, 2022
According to the Iran Human Rights organization, protesters sentenced to death are not allowed to retain an attorney. Those prisoners who were able to communicate and explain their situation to other prisoners and human rights activists were subjected to physical and mental torture.
One of those facing execution is Mohammad Qubadlou, 22, who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court on Saturday.
According to Qubadlu’s mother, her son had a mental illness and was sentenced to death without legal representation.
Iranian journalist and activist, Masih Alinejad, tweeted that Mohammad Qabadlo’s life is in danger every moment. “He has been sentenced to death only for the crime of participating in public protests,”
دیوان عالی جمهوری اسلامی حکم اعدام #محمد_قبادلو را تایید کرد!
جان محمد قبادلو هر لحظه در خطر است. او تنها به جرم شرکت در اعتراضات مردمی به اعدام محکوم شده است.
سازمان‌ها و رسانه‌های جهان را آگاه کنیم و اجازه ندهیم یک حکومت کودک‌کش سومین قتل حکومتی را انجام دهد.#مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/jEQHkbFYjs
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) December 24, 2022
Amnesty International has expressed concern about the young man’s ill-treatment and torture. An examination of a forensic report revealed that the beatings were to his arms, knees, and shoulders.”
Mozhgan Kavousi, a Kurdish language teacher and human rights activist, is among the five women facing execution. A charge of “immorality” was laid against her.
With my friend @azijangravi we support #MozhganKavousi,a #Kurdish activist,who was arrested in Kelardasht on Sept 21st by IRGC forces,has been charged with“corruption on earth”She is currently being held at Tonekabon prison.she is on hunger strike.#IranRevoIution #SayTheirNames pic.twitter.com/rvktso2VtP
— Nathalie Goulet (@senateur61) December 24, 2022
Mahmoud Amiri Moqadam, director of the Iran Human Rights organization, told AFP that Iranian officials wanted to send the protesters home. By imposing the death penalty, they wanted to put an end to the protests.
People have been affected by the execution, but anger against Iranian authorities has increased in general, according to the director.
