For almost three months, people in Iran have been taking to the streets against the government. Dozens die, hundreds are arrested. They are sentenced to death for "waging war against God".
According to the state media, a second demonstrator was executed in Iran in the course of the system-critical protests. Accused of "waging war against God," Majid-Reza R. was publicly hanged in the northeastern city of Mashad, state Irna news agency reported. The man is said to have murdered two members of the notorious paramilitary Basij militia with a knife during protests in November. The court had accused him of "waging war against God" and sentenced him to death in accordance with Islamic legal opinion.
The rap musician Mohsen S. was executed last Thursday. He is said to have attacked a Basij member with a gun, causing terror and blocking a road. His execution was sharply condemned at home and abroad. According to media reports, at least 25 demonstrators are on the Iranian judiciary's death list - two of whom have already been executed.
The protests in Iran were triggered by the death of the young Kurd Mahsa Amini on September 16. The 22-year-old died after being arrested by the vice squad because of an improperly worn headscarf. Activists accuse the police of abusing the young woman.
Both the USA and several European countries have not only condemned Iran in the strongest possible terms for human rights violations, they have also imposed new sanctions. In particular, with the recent execution of a demonstrator - and other planned executions - Iran must expect further political and economic isolation, according to observers.
