SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – The Iranian government executed Kurdish activist Rashid Lawandpour on Monday morning in Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, according to Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.
The execution took place at the Rajaei-Shahr prison in Karaj, approximately 20 kilometers west of Tehran.
Even though no organization has revealed the pretext for Lawandpour’s execution, Iran continues to threaten protesters with executions and death penalties. This has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, as those who are protesting for their rights have no idea if they will be targeted by the Iranian government next.
#BREAKING: In another appalling act of violence and injustice for the #Kurdish people, #Iran on Monday executed another Kurdish activist, Rashid Lawandpour, making a total of five executions since nationwide protests began in the country
📸: Hengaw Organization #MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/gmmJt94uDe
— Zoom News (@zoomnewskrd) January 9, 2023
It comes just two days after the regime executed protesters Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini on Saturday, making five executions in all since nationwide protests broke out.
The execution of these protesters is a clear violation of human rights, and a demonstration of the regime’s refusal to listen to the voices of those who are trying to make a difference.
The UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly previously condemned the “abhorrent” execution of protesters.
“Iran must immediately end the violence against its own people,” Cleverly tweeted.
Iran must immediately end the violence against its own people.
The execution of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini by the Iranian regime is abhorrent.
The UK is strongly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances.
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) January 7, 2023
Hengaw Organization reported Monday that 11 protesters under 18 have been arrested in Javanrud, a Kurdish town in Kermanshah province, since the new year.
A total of six protesters were also sentenced to imprisonment in the provinces of Hormozgan and Ilam, according to the NGO.
The recent nationwide protests have led to the killing of 476 people, including 64 children and 34 women, according to a report by Iranian Human Rights Organization (IHRNGO).
IHRNGO previously stated that at least 100 Iranian protesters face execution and the death penalty.
