Responding to the Iranian authorities\u2019 public execution today of Majidreza Rahnavard, a young man sentenced to death, after a sham unfair trial, in connection with ongoing nationwide protests, Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International\u2019s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe horrific public execution of Majidreza Rahnavard today exposes Iran\u2019s judiciary for what it is: a tool of repression sending individuals to the gallows to spread fear and exacting revenge on protesters daring to stand up to the status quo. The arbitrary execution of Majidreza Rahnavard less than two weeks after his only court hearing lays bare the extent of the Iranian authorities\u2019 assault on the right to life and their disregard for even maintaining a fa\u00e7ade of meaningful judicial proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe urge the international community to take all necessary measures to pressure the Iranian authorities to stop executions and quash death sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amnesty International further urges all states to exercise universal jurisdiction over all officials reasonably suspected of criminal responsibility for crimes under international law and other grave violations of human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Majidreza Rahnavard\u2019s unfair trial consisted of just one session before a \u2018Revolutionary Court\u2019 in Mashhad, Khorasan-e Razavi province, on 29 November. He was charged with \u201cenmity against God\u201d (moharebeh<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authorities accused him of fatally stabbing two Basij agents in Mashhad on 17 November. Before his court session, state media broadcast videos of Majidreza Rahnavard giving forced \u201cconfessions\u201d. His heavily bandaged left arm could be seen in a cast, raising serious concerns that he was subjected to torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amnesty International has identified 20 people at risk of execution in connection with the protests. They include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The horrific public execution of Majidreza Rahnavard today exposes Iran\u2019s judiciary for what it is: a tool of repression sending individuals to the gallows to spread fear\u2026Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Thousands have been arrested and indicted, raising fears that many more people could face the death penalty in connection to protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the individual, or the method used by the state to carry out the execution. The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n amnesty.org<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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