Iran executed three men, including Saleh Mohammadi, after the Supreme Court upheld their death sentences. The hangings occurred in Qom province, marking the first known executions related to the significant protests that had erupted across the nation. These protests initially began in December but intensified in January due to widespread anger over economic conditions, including the collapse of the Iranian currency.
Reports indicate that Mohammadi, along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, was convicted of killing police officers in separate incidents during the protests. They were charged with moharebeh (waging war against God), a term that Iranian authorities utilize to justify the death penalty against dissenters.
Human rights organizations claim that the accused were subjected to torture, leading to coerced confessions, and underwent trials that lacked fairness. Furthermore, their execution came just a day after the hanging of Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national convicted of espionage, raising additional concerns regarding the integrity of Iran’s judicial processes.
The protests which mobilized citizens from 180 cities and towns across all provinces were originally fueled by frustrations over economic instability but quickly escalated into calls for political change, presenting one of the clerical regime's most serious challenges since the 1979 revolution.
The Iranian government's response to the protests has been characterized by severe crackdowns. Reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) claim that as many as 7,000 individuals have been killed, including 6,488 protesters and 236 children.
Additionally, internet disruptions implemented by the authorities have severely hindered the flow of information regarding the ongoing situation in Iran. The international community, including U.S. President Donald Trump, expressed outrage over the executions, signaling potential repercussions.
As the situation evolves, Iran continues its precarious position amidst growing domestic and international discontent, with expectations of further unrest in response to the government's heavy-handed measures against its citizens.