On January 7, 2022, news reports emerged that Iran had executed two political prisoners, Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad, amid a crackdown on protests and political opposition. The news has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from human rights groups, government officials, and the international community.
Mohammad Mahdi Karami was a 22-year-old karate champion arrested in 2022 for participating in anti-government protests in September against the clerical establishment after morality police killed a woman for allegedly wearing her hijab “improperly.”
He was charged with several offenses, including “waging war against God” and “corruption on earth,” and was sentenced to death after a flawed trial process. Despite international efforts to secure his release, Karami was executed on January 3, 2022.
Seyyed Mohammad was also a political activist who was also arrested in 2022 for participating in anti-government protests. Like Karami, he was charged with a range of offenses and was sentenced to death after a flawed trial process. He was executed on the same day as Karami.
The executions of Karami and Mohammad have been widely condemned by the international community, with many calling them a gross injustice and a violation of international human rights standards. Human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the circumstances of their arrests and trials, and have called on the Iranian authorities to respect the rights of its citizens and uphold international human rights obligations.
The executions of Karami and Mohammad are part of a wider crackdown on protests and political opposition in Iran. In recent years, the Iranian government has arrested and imprisoned thousands of people for participating in peaceful protests or expressing dissent online. Many of these individuals have been subjected to mistreatment and abuse in detention and have been denied fair trials and access to legal representation.
The situation in Iran is particularly concerning given the country’s long history of human rights abuses and its continued defiance of international norms and standards. In addition to its treatment of political dissidents and protesters, the Iranian government has been criticized for its treatment of women, minorities, and other marginalized groups, as well as its failure to address issues such as corruption and poverty.
It is essential that the international community continues to speak out against human rights abuses in Iran and pressure the Iranian authorities to respect the rights of its citizens. The executions of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad are a tragic reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the people of Iran, and the urgent need for action to address these issues.
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