Iran: Dozens of protesters rallied in front of a jail in Karaj, Iran, amid rumors that two more prisoners might be killed in charges tied to Iran’s demonstrations. Multiple web videos showed a throng assembling early Monday in front of Rajaei-Shahr Prison in Karaj outside Tehran to prevent the executions of Mohammad Ghobadlou, 22, and Mohammad Boroughani, 19. The two men’s families were there. Ghobadlou was executed for allegedly running over and murdering a security officer. Ghobadlou claimed mental illness in court, but a state psychologist said he knew what he was doing.
In one video, Ghobadlou’s mother says he didn’t murder the security officer. Boroughani was convicted of “moharebeh” for killing a security officer with a knife. Both men had their convictions confirmed by the Supreme Court and were allegedly remanded to solitary prison, causing worries from their relatives. When executions will be carried out is unknown. Ghobadlou’s lawyer tweeted early Monday that he has submitted another petition and argued the Supreme Court must postpone the execution awaiting review. Iran has hanged four individuals in instances connected to the demonstrations, which began in mid-September after the murder of Mahsa Amini, who was imprisoned for allegedly violating a strict dress code for women. Two individuals were executed on Saturday and two more in December, one in Mashhad. Amnesty International, the US, and the EU have criticized the killings and called them “fake trials,” which the Iranian judiciary rejects. Amnesty International says more than two dozen protesters face death. On Monday, the Iranian judiciary announced three additional preliminary death sentences. Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeid Yaghoubi were condemned to death for moharebeh after killing three security agents in Isfahan on November 16. Amir Nasr Azadani, a professional footballer, was also sentenced to 26 years in jail in the same case.
The judges stated the sentences can be challenged to the Supreme Court after a sixth person was acquitted. Several Iranian celebrities have denounced the deaths. Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi tweeted Sunday that “justice won’t be served by the noose” Sporadic protests were held in Iran on Sunday to celebrate the third anniversary of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) missiles above Tehran in 2020. Authorities declared the event was the consequence of “human error.” Videos showed protests in many cities. Families of the flight’s victims held rallies outside Iran, including one in Toronto visited by Justin Trudeau.
