Multiple Protesters in Iran May Receive Death Penalty
(ConservativeHub.com) – Iran’s morality police arrested 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September for wearing her head covering incorrectly. Three days later, she died after being in their custody, sparking protests across the country. However, the aggressive and strict regime is cracking down on the months-long demonstrations demanding more rights for women, and its latest move was to issue death sentences to multiple protesters.
Protesters Receive Death Sentence
Police have arrested more than 15,000 citizens over the past few months. Hundreds have also died while demanding equal rights for women. It was reported on social media this past week that Iran was planning to put 15,000 protesters to death, although more recent reports have disputed this, saying that only three individuals have been hit with a death sentence so far.
On Sunday, November 13, the state-run Mizan News Agency announced that the Revolutionary Court sentenced a protester in Tehran to death for “disturbing public order and peace,” “war against God,” and “corruption on earth.” The government accused the unnamed defendant of setting fire to a government building. In the following days, Mizan reported that two other protesters have been sentenced to death as well.
Another five protesters are facing up to 10 years in jail for actions they took during demonstrations. While they can appeal the rulings, they shouldn’t expect leniency from the regime.
Authorities are also holding the two journalists who first reported on Amini’s death, Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, in the Evin prison complex in Tehran. Meanwhile, rapper Toomaj Salehi released music to show his support for women, and reports say his charges could bring him a life-ending penalty.
The World Responds
In response to the first death sentence report, people around the globe joined with human rights groups to condemn the decision. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) took to Twitter to tell followers about the news and speak out against it:
The US will not turn a blind eye to Iran's evil treatment of peaceful protestors.
It's disgusting & indicative of a regime scared to death to allow citizens to think for themselves. We stand with the Iranian protestors, and won't tolerate such injustice.https://t.co/uErj9Fzg0h
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) November 14, 2022
Across the aisle, California Representative Ted Lieu (D) shared his thoughts:
This is appalling. The Biden Administration should impose all possible sanctions on Iran. Our country and decent countries around the world need to exert maximum pressure on the Iranian regime for these horrific human rights violations. Now. https://t.co/QnBOizbhkc
— Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) November 14, 2022
The European Union also added more sanctions to the regime and powerful Iranians amid the crackdown on protesters.
The European Union imposed sanctions on Iran's interior minister and several senior police and military officials over their alleged roles in the security crackdown against massive anti-government protests. https://t.co/p58TBphJcy
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 14, 2022
The Biden Administration released a statement on Monday, November 14, highlighting how the “sham trials,” among other abuses, “must not go without consequence.” It welcomed the sanctions imposed by its allies and noted it will “pursue accountability … through sanctions and other means.”
Iranian Executions in Numbers
According to Amnesty International, Iran executed a minimum of 314 people in 2021, which increased from 246 or more in 2020. Last year, 14 women died, and three were under 18 years old. The organization believes the numbers are actually higher. With the current protests and rulings, there’s no telling what the numbers might be this year or the next.
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