Iran Begins Hanging Protesters

Iran announced the first execution of a protester convicted over the recent anti-government unrest.  Mohsen Shekari was hanged after being found guilty by a Revolutionary Court of "moharebeh" (enmity against God).

He was accused of being a "rioter" who blocked a main road in Tehran in September and wounded a member of a paramilitary force with a machete.  An activist said he was convicted after a "show trial without any due process".   "The international community must immediately and strongly react to this execution," Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights, said.  "If Mohsen Shekari's execution is not met with serious consequences for the government, we will face mass execution of protesters," he added.

Iran Human Rights said Shekari was "denied access to his lawyer throughout the interrogation phase [and] legal proceedings".  It also said the hard-line Fars news agency aired his "forced confessions" hours after his execution. In the video, a bruise on his right cheek is visible.  Opposition activist collective 1500tasvir tweeted: "While his family were still hoping for an appeal and had no news from the case, the Islamic Republic unexpectedly executed him."

The judiciary has so far announced that at least 11 other people have been sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts on the charges of "enmity against God" or "corruption on Earth" in connection with the protests. The defendants' identities have not been disclosed.  Amnesty International has said the courts operate "under the influence of security and intelligence forces to impose harsh sentences following grossly unfair trials marked by summary and predominantly secret processes".  Amnesty International also said Shekari's execution "[exposed] the inhumanity of Iran's so-called justice system as dozens of others face the same fate". 

Mohsen Shekari's arrest, trial and execution took less than two and a half months.  Iran is taking a chance that a rushed execution of a young protester might deter others from taking to the streets-- but it is more likely to provoke anger on the part of protesters, not fear. Protesters have proven over and over again that they no longer have any such fear. The funeral of each one killed by security forces has turned into an anti-government demonstration.The hanging is yet another huge gamble for the regime and one that might give fresh impetus to the protests on the streets.