In Iran, two men have been hanged for allegedly murdering a military officer during widespread protests.
The conviction of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini for “corruption on earth” stems from their alleged role in the killing of a paramilitary officer.
Human rights organizations condemned the trial, calling it a “sham.”
22-year-old Mr. Karami’s family claims they were not allowed to meet him before he was killed.
Ruhollah Ajamian, a paramilitary officer, was allegedly killed by a group of mourners paying their condolences to a recently killed demonstrator while they were stripped naked, according to the prosecution.
Following the death in detention of a lady who had been arrested by morality police for reportedly wearing her hijab, or headscarf, “improperly,” protests against Iran’s religious establishment erupted in September.
According to the international Human Rights Activists’ News Agency, at least 516 protestors have been killed so far, including 70 minors, while 19,262 others have been detained (HRANA). 68 security personnel deaths have also been recorded.
Many of those who were imprisoned during protests reportedly suffered from torture, enforced disappearance, incommunicado incarceration, and other cruel treatment.
Iranian authorities refer to the demonstrations as “riots” and charge that outside forces are instigating the disturbance.
