Iran executesan accused of helping US, Israel during protest

TEHRAN: Iran has executed a man accused of supporting the United States and Israel during the country’s January anti-government protests, adding to growing international concern over Tehran’s use of capital punishment against people linked to the unrest.

Iranian judicial authorities identified the man as Majid Adineh, saying he was arrested during the protests and accused of involvement in activities carried out in support of groups considered hostile to Iran.

According to the judiciary, Adineh was accused of deliberately committing arson, participating in gatherings aimed at undermining national security and conspiring against the state. Authorities also alleged that he had worked with opposition groups linked to the United States and Israel.

Iran’s judiciary said the Revolutionary Court in Karaj convicted him after considering documents, evidence and statements attributed to the defendant. The court also ordered the confiscation of his property.

The allegations could not be independently verified, and the account published by Iranian authorities did not include comments from Adineh’s lawyer or family.

The execution comes amid an increasingly severe crackdown following nationwide protests that began in late December and expanded across Iran in January. The demonstrations were initially fuelled by economic grievances but quickly developed into broader anti-government protests.

Iranian authorities have repeatedly described some protesters as agents or operatives working for foreign enemies, while rights organisations have challenged the fairness of several cases brought against demonstrators.

The latest execution also follows a broader increase in executions connected to the unrest. The UN human rights chief said earlier this month that Iran had executed at least 56 people on national-security-related charges since March 19, including 27 people linked to the anti-government protests.

Human rights organisations have warned that dozens of other protesters remain at risk of execution. Amnesty International said in July that at least 60 people, including some who were children when arrested, were at risk after receiving death sentences connected to the protests.

The UN’s Iran fact-finding mission has also urged Tehran to halt executions linked to the protests, expressing concern over accelerated proceedings and allegations surrounding the fairness of trials.

Iran, however, maintains that its courts are dealing with serious national-security offences and that capital punishment is lawful.

The executions have intensified debate over the government’s response to dissent. While officials portray the cases as necessary measures against threats to national security, rights groups argue that protesters and political dissidents are being subjected to harsh sentences after proceedings that fail to meet international fair-trial standards.

With further cases reportedly moving through Iran’s Revolutionary Courts, the execution of Adineh is likely to renew scrutiny of Tehran’s treatment of those accused of involvement in the January protests.