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Iran has executed three men accused of carrying out armed unrest during anti-government protests in January, according to state media reports.
Convictions and Executions in Karaj
Hassan Dioband, Hamid Kazemi and Reza Zanganeh were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and grenades, using bladed weapons and firearms, and setting fire to public facilities in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, as reported by Iran’s state news agency Tasnim. The executions follow the Supreme Court upholding their convictions and finding them guilty of participating in operational activities on behalf of the Israeli Zionist regime, the United States and hostile groups. The damage alleged by authorities included an electricity substation in Karaj that caused power outages in local areas.
Dioband was arrested on 11 January following investigations identifying him as a suspect in attacks on public property and incitement to violence. Ten other individuals accused of participating in the unrest under his supervision were subsequently arrested, with Reuters reporting they received prison terms ranging from five to 10 years.
Protest Background and Death Toll
The protest movement started in December of last year driven by the high cost of living before evolving into widespread demonstrations that peaked on 8 and 9 January. Iranian authorities reported over 3,000 deaths and attributed the violence to terrorist acts orchestrated by the US and Israel. Conversely, foreign-based non-governmental organizations reported higher figures, and the BBC received multiple accounts from Iranians stating that security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters.
The executions form part of a broader series linked to the protests, which includes individuals accused of having ties to Israel and the United States. Executions in Iran have risen since US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic began in late February.
International Concerns and Statistics
The recent executions follow statements from UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who expressed alarm over the increase in death penalties. Türk noted in August that at least 56 people had been executed on national security-related charges since 19 March, with 27 of those cases linked to the January nationwide demonstrations.
Iran is considered the world’s second-most prolific executioner after China. According to Amnesty International, the country put to death at least 2,159 people last year, marking the highest recorded figure since 1981, and included 45 executions of suspected dissidents on national security charges.
