Iran on Saturday (Apr 25) executed a man accused of carrying out a “mission” on behalf of the Israeli intelligence agency during mass protests in January. This comes amid a string of executions since the war broke out with the United States and Israel. According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online website, Erfan Kiani was hanged after the country’s Supreme Court upheld his sentence.Authorities described Kiani as one of the “main operatives” tasked by Mossad during unrest in the central province of Isfahan earlier this year. He was accused of multiple offences, including arson, destruction of public and private property, possession and use of Molotov cocktails, carrying a bladed weapon, attacking security personnel, blocking roads, and spreading fear among citizens.Kiani’s execution comes after another man was hanged on charges related to membership in a banned opposition group. In recent weeks, Iranian officials have intensified the use of the death penalty, particularly following the escalation of hostilities that began on February 28.Tehran has claimed that the protests in January were instigated by foreign actors, including Israel, the United States, and opposition organisations such as the People's Mujahedin of Iran. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have long criticised Iran’s use of capital punishment, noting that it remains one of the world’s most frequent practitioners of the death penalty after China.Since March 19, at least nine individuals linked to the protests have reportedly been executed, raising concerns among international observers over due process and human rights.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran executed a man accused of working for an Israeli spy agency during protests, amid a surge in hangings as rights groups warn of serious human rights concerns.

Iran on Saturday (Apr 25) executed a man accused of carrying out a “mission” on behalf of the Israeli intelligence agency during mass protests in January. This comes amid a string of executions since the war broke out with the United States and Israel. According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online website, Erfan Kiani was hanged after the country’s Supreme Court upheld his sentence. Authorities described Kiani as one of the “main operatives” tasked by Mossad during unrest in the central province of Isfahan earlier this year. He was accused of multiple offences, including arson, destruction of public and private property, possession and use of Molotov cocktails, carrying a bladed weapon, attacking security personnel, blocking roads, and spreading fear among citizens. Kiani’s execution comes after another man was hanged on charges related to membership in a banned opposition group. In recent weeks, Iranian officials have intensified the use of the death penalty, particularly following the escalation of hostilities that began on February 28. Tehran has claimed that the protests in January were instigated by foreign actors, including Israel, the United States, and opposition organisations such as the People's Mujahedin of Iran. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have long criticised Iran’s use of capital punishment, noting that it remains one of the world’s most frequent practitioners of the death penalty after China. Since March 19, at least nine individuals linked to the protests have reportedly been executed, raising concerns among international observers over due process and human rights. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran executed a man accused of working for an Israeli spy agency during protests, amid a surge in hangings as rights groups warn of serious human rights concerns.

Iran executes man accused of carrying ‘mission’ for Israel’s spy agency

The White House on Thursday (Jan 15) said that Iran halted 800 executions under pressure from US President Donald Trump over its crackdown against nationwide protests, adding that a US military intervention remains an option. This comes amid one of the biggest anti-government protests in the history of the Islamic Republic, which has killed several and led to a week-long internet blackout. Hundreds have been killed amid demonstrations that started weeks ago over the rising cost of living in the country. Meanwhile, Gulf allies are scrambling to pull back Trump from military action over Tehran’s killing of demonstrators.“The president understands today that 800 executions that were scheduled and supposed to take place yesterday were halted,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.“All options remain on the table for the president,” she said, adding that Trump had warned Tehran of “grave consequences” if the killing of protesters continued.On Wednesday (Jan 14), the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said that Iranian security forces had killed at least 3,428 protesters, warning that the final toll would be much higher.Trump earlier said that he received assurance from “very important sources on the other side” that Iran would not go ahead with the executions.On Thursday, a senior Saudi official told AFP that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman led efforts to talk Trump out of an attack on Iran, fearing “grave blowbacks in the region.”The Gulf nations “led a long, frantic, diplomatic last-minute effort to convince President Trump to give Iran a chance to show good intention,” the official said.Iranian authorities have claimed that the “rioters” were backed by Israel and the US, vowing fast-track justice that activists fear will turn into a spree of executions. The Trump administration had threatened military action in case Iran carried out the death penalty against people arrested over the protests.Speaking to Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that there would be “no hanging today or tomorrow.” Reacting to the statement, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, “This is good news. Hopefully, it will continue!”Meanwhile, Araghchi said that the Iranian government was “in full control”, adding that an atmosphere of calm remained after what he called three days of “terrorist operation.”

On Wednesday (Jan 14), the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said that Iranian security forces had killed at least 3,428 protesters, warning that the final toll would be much higher.

The White House on Thursday (Jan 15) said that Iran halted 800 executions under pressure from US President Donald Trump over its crackdown against nationwide protests, adding that a US military intervention remains an option. This comes amid one of the biggest anti-government protests in the history of the Islamic Republic, which has killed several and led to a week-long internet blackout. Hundreds have been killed amid demonstrations that started weeks ago over the rising cost of living in the country. Meanwhile, Gulf allies are scrambling to pull back Trump from military action over Tehran’s killing of demonstrators. “The president understands today that 800 executions that were scheduled and supposed to take place yesterday were halted,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “All options remain on the table for the president,” she said, adding that Trump had warned Tehran of “grave consequences” if the killing of protesters continued. On Wednesday (Jan 14), the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said that Iranian security forces had killed at least 3,428 protesters, warning that the final toll would be much higher. Trump earlier said that he received assurance from “very important sources on the other side” that Iran would not go ahead with the executions. On Thursday, a senior Saudi official told AFP that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman led efforts to talk Trump out of an attack on Iran, fearing “grave blowbacks in the region.” The Gulf nations “led a long, frantic, diplomatic last-minute effort to convince President Trump to give Iran a chance to show good intention,” the official said. Iranian authorities have claimed that the “rioters” were backed by Israel and the US, vowing fast-track justice that activists fear will turn into a spree of executions. The Trump administration had threatened military action in case Iran carried out the death penalty against people arrested over the protests. Speaking to Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that there would be “no hanging today or tomorrow.” Reacting to the statement, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, “This is good news. Hopefully, it will continue!” Meanwhile, Araghchi said that the Iranian government was “in full control”, adding that an atmosphere of calm remained after what he called three days of “terrorist operation.”

On Wednesday (Jan 14), the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said that Iranian security forces had killed at least 3,428 protesters, warning that the final toll would be much higher.

White House claims Trump stopped 800 executions in Iran, but insists military action ‘remains on table’

Iran is facing condemnation from human rights groups as it executed a 17-year-old named Hamidreza Azari for murder in the town of Sabzevar. The incident reignited concerns about the country's practice of hanging individuals for crimes committed by minors.

The execution took place on Friday (Nov 24) in a prison located in Sabzevar, Razavi Khorasan province, according to statements from Norway-based Hengaw and Iran Human Rights (IHR) groups.

Azari, the only child in his family, had been working as a scrap worker.&nbsp;

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Hengaw and IHR, citing official documents, revealed that Azari was 16 years old at the time of the crime and 17 when executed. Both groups said that Iran's action violated the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which defines a child as anyone under the age of 18.

IHR reported that since 2010 at least 68 minors have been executed in Iran.

IHR Director Mahmood-Amiry Moghaddam pointed out the contradiction in Iran's laws, noting that while 18 is the minimum age for obtaining a driver's license, the country's penal code considers 15 as the age for criminal executions.

The group accused Iranian media of deliberately misrepresenting the age of the executed individual to avoid accountability.

<h2>Wave of executions&nbsp;</h2>

The execution of Azari is part of a broader trend of increased capital punishment in Iran. Another execution, unrelated to Azari's case, occurred on Thursday (Nov 23), involving a man in his early 20s connected to protests that erupted in September 2022.

These protests were triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, while in custody for an alleged dress code violation.

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Human rights campaigners argue that Iran is currently undergoing an unprecedented wave of executions for intimidating the public in the aftermath of the nationwide protests.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran is facing condemnation from human rights groups as it executed a 17-year-old named Hamidreza Azari for murder in the town of Sabzevar. The incident reignited concerns about the country's practice of hanging individuals for crimes committed by minors.

Iran is facing condemnation from human rights groups as it executed a 17-year-old named Hamidreza Azari for murder in the town of Sabzevar. The incident reignited concerns about the country's practice of hanging individuals for crimes committed by minors. The execution took place on Friday (Nov 24) in a prison located in Sabzevar, Razavi Khorasan province, according to statements from Norway-based Hengaw and Iran Human Rights (IHR) groups. Azari, the only child in his family, had been working as a scrap worker. Also Read | Italy in rage after girl killed by ex-boyfriend, protests against high femicide rate Hengaw and IHR, citing official documents, revealed that Azari was 16 years old at the time of the crime and 17 when executed. Both groups said that Iran's action violated the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which defines a child as anyone under the age of 18. IHR reported that since 2010 at least 68 minors have been executed in Iran. IHR Director Mahmood-Amiry Moghaddam pointed out the contradiction in Iran's laws, noting that while 18 is the minimum age for obtaining a driver's license, the country's penal code considers 15 as the age for criminal executions. The group accused Iranian media of deliberately misrepresenting the age of the executed individual to avoid accountability. Wave of executions The execution of Azari is part of a broader trend of increased capital punishment in Iran. Another execution, unrelated to Azari's case, occurred on Thursday (Nov 23), involving a man in his early 20s connected to protests that erupted in September 2022. These protests were triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, while in custody for an alleged dress code violation. Watch | OpenAI's CEO Shake-Up | Sam Altman Saga Sparks Debate About AI's Future × Human rights campaigners argue that Iran is currently undergoing an unprecedented wave of executions for intimidating the public in the aftermath of the nationwide protests. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran executes 17-year-old boy for murder, human rights groups express outrage

Iran on Saturday executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being "corrupt on earth," and allegedly leading an Arab separatist group accused of multiple attacks, including a 2018 one that killed 25 people.

Chaab, as per Reuters, was sentenced to death for his alleged offence, i.e., being "corrupt on earth," a capital offence that in Iran carries the death penalty under the nation's strict Islamic laws.&nbsp;

"The death sentence for Habib Chaab... nicknamed Habib Asyud, the head of the Harakat al-Nidal terrorist group... was carried out today, Saturday morning," reported the judiciary's Mizan Online website.

"He was hanged," it added.

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The Swedish-Iranian national, as per AFP, had been held in Iran since October 2020 after vanishing during a visit to Turkey.&nbsp;According to Iran, in 2020 its forces 'detained' the alleged Arab separatist group leader in Turkey. From there, he was taken to Tehran.

He was brought to trial by Iran in 2022, wherein he was charged with leading the Harakat al-Nidal, or Arab Struggle Movement, for the Liberation of Ahwaz. The outfit, as per reports, seeks a separate state in the oil-rich Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran.

The group is also blamed for plotting and carrying out "numerous bombings and terrorist operations" including one on a military parade in 2018, in which 25 people were killed, and almost 250 were wounded.

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In March, six other members of Harakat al-Nidal were sentenced to death over attacks carried out by "orders of their European leaders,"&nbsp;reported Mizan Online.

Swedish government which had reportedly voiced its concerns over the case has reacted to it with dismay at Chaab's execution. Talking to the press, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that the execution was "inhuman" and that his government had pleaded with Iran not to carry out the sentence.

"The death penalty is an inhuman and irreversible punishment and Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, condemns its application under all circumstances," said the Swedish Foreign Minister.

Previously Iranian state television had aired a video of Chaab in which he confessed to the 2018 attack on a military parade in Ahvaz, the capital of the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

In the footage, Chaab also admitted to working with Saudi intelligence services.However, such confessions are frequently condemned by rights groups based outside of Iran as "forced", arguing they are often obtained under duress. According to rights groups including Amnesty International, every year, Iran&nbsp;executes more people than any other nation — except China —&nbsp;with those sentenced to death hanged.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iran on Saturday executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being "corrupt on earth," and allegedly leading an Arab separatist group accused of multiple attacks, including a 2018 one that killed 25 people.

Iran on Saturday executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being "corrupt on earth," and allegedly leading an Arab separatist group accused of multiple attacks, including a 2018 one that killed 25 people. Chaab, as per Reuters, was sentenced to death for his alleged offence, i.e., being "corrupt on earth," a capital offence that in Iran carries the death penalty under the nation's strict Islamic laws. "The death sentence for Habib Chaab... nicknamed Habib Asyud, the head of the Harakat al-Nidal terrorist group... was carried out today, Saturday morning," reported the judiciary's Mizan Online website. "He was hanged," it added. Also read | 'Inhumane': Sweden condemns Iran for upholding death sentence of Swedish-Iranian dissident The Swedish-Iranian national, as per AFP, had been held in Iran since October 2020 after vanishing during a visit to Turkey. According to Iran, in 2020 its forces 'detained' the alleged Arab separatist group leader in Turkey. From there, he was taken to Tehran. He was brought to trial by Iran in 2022, wherein he was charged with leading the Harakat al-Nidal, or Arab Struggle Movement, for the Liberation of Ahwaz. The outfit, as per reports, seeks a separate state in the oil-rich Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. The group is also blamed for plotting and carrying out "numerous bombings and terrorist operations" including one on a military parade in 2018, in which 25 people were killed, and almost 250 were wounded. Also read | Iran's Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Swedish-Iranian dissident In March, six other members of Harakat al-Nidal were sentenced to death over attacks carried out by "orders of their European leaders," reported Mizan Online. Swedish government which had reportedly voiced its concerns over the case has reacted to it with dismay at Chaab's execution. Talking to the press, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that the execution was "inhuman" and that his government had pleaded with Iran not to carry out the sentence. "The death penalty is an inhuman and irreversible punishment and Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, condemns its application under all circumstances," said the Swedish Foreign Minister. Previously Iranian state television had aired a video of Chaab in which he confessed to the 2018 attack on a military parade in Ahvaz, the capital of the southwestern province of Khuzestan. In the footage, Chaab also admitted to working with Saudi intelligence services.However, such confessions are frequently condemned by rights groups based outside of Iran as "forced", arguing they are often obtained under duress. According to rights groups including Amnesty International, every year, Iran executes more people than any other nation — except China — with those sentenced to death hanged. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran hangs Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being 'corrupt on earth'

Alireza Akbari, the British-Iranian dual national and former Iranian deputy defence minister was executed by Tehran on Saturday, reported Iran’s judiciary's Mizan news agency. This comes after he was accused of “spying” for Britain and was hanged after being convicted of “corruption on Earth” and acting against national security, reported Al Jazeera citing the judiciary’s official news outlet. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and action by the United Kingdom against Iran including sanctions and the temporary withdrawal of their ambassador from Tehran, as it considers branding Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation along with the European Union in a reportedly coordinated move.&nbsp;

Who is Alireza Akbari?

Alireza Akbari was a British-Iranian national who also served as deputy defence minister under ex-defence minister Ali Shamkhani in the former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami’s administration, from 1997 to 2005. According to an audio recording purportedly from Akbari which was broadcasted by BBC Persian, earlier this week, Akbari also fought in the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s and was among the ranks of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as well as had a commanding role in developing Tehran’s strategy during the conflict.&nbsp;

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Since the war, he has reportedly been a close ally of Shamkhani who currently serves as the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. A report by CNN citing Shargh Daily said that Akbari was also a member of the organisation that implemented a ceasefire between Iran-Iraq after the war. Furthermore, he also reportedly led the implementation of a United Nations resolution which ended the war in 1988.&nbsp;

What was Alireza Akbari accused of by Iran?

According to media reports, Akbari stepped down from his position in Iran and eventually moved to the UK where he ran a private think tank and had not been seen in public until his arrest in Iran four years ago. According to a report by BBC Persian, Akbari said he was living abroad before senior Iranian diplomat, Shamkhani, invited him to visit Iran in 2019.

Iran’s judicial news agency, Mizan while confirming Akbari’s death penalty accused him of being, “one of the most important agents of the British spy service who collected important information and provided this for the British spy service in a fully informed and targeted manner”. Additionally, they also claimed that the Iranian-British national had been cultivated by the UK when he was seeking and recruited aboard, as per the Guardian.&nbsp;

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According to a report by Reuters, Iranian state media, on Thursday, broadcast a video of Akbari which showed that he played a role in the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh who was allegedly killed in 2020. However, at the time, the authorities in Tehran had blamed the attack on Israel, without providing any evidence.&nbsp;

In that video, while the Iranian-British national did not confess to killing the nuclear scientist he said that a British agent had asked for information about Fakhrizadeh, as per Reuters. According to Iranian media reports, he was also accused of being paid more than $2 million in various currencies and allegedly provided information to foreign officials about 178 Iranian officials including Fakhrizadeh.&nbsp;

Furthermore, when the Iranian judiciary’s official news outlet confirmed the British-Iranian national’s execution it said that Akbari is being hanged for “harming the country’s internal and external security by passing on intelligence”. It added, “The actions of the British spy service in this case have shown the value of the convict, the importance of his access and the enemy’s trust in him.”&nbsp;

Prior to his execution, Akbari had reportedly denied any wrongdoing. He also allegedly said that he was tortured and forced to make false confessions after he was accused of obtaining top-secret intelligence for the British intelligence agency, MI6. Akbari, who was arrested more than three years ago, was reportedly in Evin prison in Tehran where he met other British Iranian dual nationals.&nbsp;

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“With more than 3,500 hours of torture, psychedelic drugs, and physiological and psychological pressure methods, they took away my will,” said Akbari, as per a report by Reuters, citing the BBC Persian’s audio recording.&nbsp;

Furthermore, the former deputy defence minister alleged that Iranian security personnel pressured judges to issue a death penalty against him, “The Supreme Court voted against the death penalty, but the Intelligence Ministry imposed its will by threatening the judge,” reported Reuters citing BBC.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, his wife, Maryam told The Guardian, that a decade or so ago Akbari had “formal consultations” with British officials which were well within the scope of his mission, however, his meetings with a university admissions officer, or an estate agent were misinterpreted by intelligence officials as meeting with an agent.&nbsp;

She also asserted, “There was no evidence that he was a spy except a confession that was extracted after he was drugged and interrogated for 3,500 hours.” Speaking to the Guardian, Maryam said that he left the government since “public service was no longer possible” and found himself “politically ostracised”. It was then he supposedly decided to leave Iran after which he travelled to Austria and Spain before settling in the UK.&nbsp;

How did the UK react to Akbari’s sentence and execution?

According to a report by the Guardian, the UK's Foreign Office was aware of Akbari’s case for some time but was only asked to intervene by his family in the last 24 hours when they had exhausted all legal means and political lobbying in Iran had failed. Subsequently, on January 11 the day Akbari was sentenced, the British foreign secretary, James Cleverly, urged the Iranian government to “halt the execution” and called for his immediate release.&nbsp;

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“This is a politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life,” said Cleverly. After the Iranian judiciary’s official news outlet confirmed Alireza Akbari’s execution, on Saturday morning, the UK Prime Minister took to Twitter and said that he is “appalled” and called it a “callous and cowardly act, carried out by a barbaric regime with no respect for the human rights of their own people. My thoughts are with Alireza’s friends and family.”&nbsp;

Since then, there has been widespread condemnation of Iran. The UK foreign minister, hours after the execution said, “Iran has executed a British national. This barbaric act deserves condemnation in the strongest possible terms. This will not stand unchallenged. My thoughts are with Alireza Akbari’s family.” The&nbsp;61-year-old Akbari leaves behind two daughters and a wife who are currently living in the UK.

The fallout from Alireza Akbari’s execution

In addition to widespread condemnation and criticism, the UK government has since imposed sanctions including a travel ban and asset freeze on Iran’s Prosecutor General, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri and the British foreign minister said he “is at the heart of Iran's use of the death penalty”.&nbsp;

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So far, in what is expected to be a series of steps against Iran, on Saturday, Cleverly said that Britain would temporarily withdraw its ambassador from Iran and is considering further action against Tehran following Akbari’s execution. “It is important to recognise that our response is not necessarily limited to the actions that I’ve announced today,” said the UK foreign minister.&nbsp;

The UK had also summoned the Iranian chargé d’affaires while the British ambassador to Tehran, Stephen Shercliff, was also summoned by the Iranian authorities for Britain’s “unconventional interventions”. Tehran also reportedly told Shercliff that “decisive action” to protect Iran’s national security will not “depend on the consent of other governments, including England”.&nbsp;

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Reports suggest that the UK will be planning to coordinate with the European Union to formally declare Iran’s IRGC a terrorist organisation which would make it a criminal offence to belong to or participate in the group’s activities in Britain.

Notably, this is not the first time that the UK is considering this move. In a press conference, last year, the MI5 chief had said that Iran had planned at least 10 plots to, “kidnap or even kill British or UK-based individuals perceived as enemies of the regime,” since the beginning of 2022 alone.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-mi5-chief-says-expulsion-of-russian-spies-from-europe-is-a-significant-strategic-blow-to-moscow-534881">UK: MI5 chief says expulsion of Russian spies from Europe is a ‘significant strategic blow’ to Moscow</a> 
 
After Akbari’s execution France also in “full solidarity with the British authorities”, extending their condolences said at the minister’s request summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Iranian Embassy in Paris to “express our outrage”. In a statement, the French government said that they also issued a warning to him and said, “Iran’s repeated violations of international law cannot go unanswered, especially when it comes to the treatment of the foreign nationals the country arbitrarily detains.”&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron called the British-Iranian dual national’s execution an “odious and barbaric act.” He added, “His name adds to too long a list of victims of repression and the death penalty in Iran.” Meanwhile, the US State Department also described the execution as politically motivated and unjust while the US ambassador to the UK called it “appalling and sickening”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Alireza Akbari, the British-Iranian dual national and former Iranian deputy defence minister was executed by Tehran on Saturday, reported Iran’s judiciary's Mizan news agency.

Alireza Akbari, the British-Iranian dual national and former Iranian deputy defence minister was executed by Tehran on Saturday, reported Iran’s judiciary's Mizan news agency. This comes after he was accused of “spying” for Britain and was hanged after being convicted of “corruption on Earth” and acting against national security, reported Al Jazeera citing the judiciary’s official news outlet. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and action by the United Kingdom against Iran including sanctions and the temporary withdrawal of their ambassador from Tehran, as it considers branding Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation along with the European Union in a reportedly coordinated move. Who is Alireza Akbari? Alireza Akbari was a British-Iranian national who also served as deputy defence minister under ex-defence minister Ali Shamkhani in the former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami’s administration, from 1997 to 2005. According to an audio recording purportedly from Akbari which was broadcasted by BBC Persian, earlier this week, Akbari also fought in the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s and was among the ranks of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as well as had a commanding role in developing Tehran’s strategy during the conflict. ALSO READ | Iran executes British-Iranian national for alleged spying, says report Since the war, he has reportedly been a close ally of Shamkhani who currently serves as the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. A report by CNN citing Shargh Daily said that Akbari was also a member of the organisation that implemented a ceasefire between Iran-Iraq after the war. Furthermore, he also reportedly led the implementation of a United Nations resolution which ended the war in 1988. What was Alireza Akbari accused of by Iran? According to media reports, Akbari stepped down from his position in Iran and eventually moved to the UK where he ran a private think tank and had not been seen in public until his arrest in Iran four years ago. According to a report by BBC Persian, Akbari said he was living abroad before senior Iranian diplomat, Shamkhani, invited him to visit Iran in 2019. Iran’s judicial news agency, Mizan while confirming Akbari’s death penalty accused him of being, “one of the most important agents of the British spy service who collected important information and provided this for the British spy service in a fully informed and targeted manner”. Additionally, they also claimed that the Iranian-British national had been cultivated by the UK when he was seeking and recruited aboard, as per the Guardian. ALSO WATCH | Iran executes Alireza Akbari for being a British Spy According to a report by Reuters, Iranian state media, on Thursday, broadcast a video of Akbari which showed that he played a role in the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh who was allegedly killed in 2020. However, at the time, the authorities in Tehran had blamed the attack on Israel, without providing any evidence. In that video, while the Iranian-British national did not confess to killing the nuclear scientist he said that a British agent had asked for information about Fakhrizadeh, as per Reuters. According to Iranian media reports, he was also accused of being paid more than $2 million in various currencies and allegedly provided information to foreign officials about 178 Iranian officials including Fakhrizadeh. Furthermore, when the Iranian judiciary’s official news outlet confirmed the British-Iranian national’s execution it said that Akbari is being hanged for “harming the country’s internal and external security by passing on intelligence”. It added, “The actions of the British spy service in this case have shown the value of the convict, the importance of his access and the enemy’s trust in him.” Prior to his execution, Akbari had reportedly denied any wrongdoing. He also allegedly said that he was tortured and forced to make false confessions after he was accused of obtaining top-secret intelligence for the British intelligence agency, MI6. Akbari, who was arrested more than three years ago, was reportedly in Evin prison in Tehran where he met other British Iranian dual nationals. ALSO READ | UK sanctions Iran's prosecutor over British-Iranian citizen’s execution “With more than 3,500 hours of torture, psychedelic drugs, and physiological and psychological pressure methods, they took away my will,” said Akbari, as per a report by Reuters, citing the BBC Persian’s audio recording. Furthermore, the former deputy defence minister alleged that Iranian security personnel pressured judges to issue a death penalty against him, “The Supreme Court voted against the death penalty, but the Intelligence Ministry imposed its will by threatening the judge,” reported Reuters citing BBC. Meanwhile, his wife, Maryam told The Guardian, that a decade or so ago Akbari had “formal consultations” with British officials which were well within the scope of his mission, however, his meetings with a university admissions officer, or an estate agent were misinterpreted by intelligence officials as meeting with an agent. She also asserted, “There was no evidence that he was a spy except a confession that was extracted after he was drugged and interrogated for 3,500 hours.” Speaking to the Guardian, Maryam said that he left the government since “public service was no longer possible” and found himself “politically ostracised”. It was then he supposedly decided to leave Iran after which he travelled to Austria and Spain before settling in the UK. How did the UK react to Akbari’s sentence and execution? According to a report by the Guardian, the UK's Foreign Office was aware of Akbari’s case for some time but was only asked to intervene by his family in the last 24 hours when they had exhausted all legal means and political lobbying in Iran had failed. Subsequently, on January 11 the day Akbari was sentenced, the British foreign secretary, James Cleverly, urged the Iranian government to “halt the execution” and called for his immediate release. ALSO WATCH | Iran faces global backlash for Akbari's execution “This is a politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life,” said Cleverly. After the Iranian judiciary’s official news outlet confirmed Alireza Akbari’s execution, on Saturday morning, the UK Prime Minister took to Twitter and said that he is “appalled” and called it a “callous and cowardly act, carried out by a barbaric regime with no respect for the human rights of their own people. My thoughts are with Alireza’s friends and family.” Since then, there has been widespread condemnation of Iran. The UK foreign minister, hours after the execution said, “Iran has executed a British national. This barbaric act deserves condemnation in the strongest possible terms. This will not stand unchallenged. My thoughts are with Alireza Akbari’s family.” The 61-year-old Akbari leaves behind two daughters and a wife who are currently living in the UK. The fallout from Alireza Akbari’s execution In addition to widespread condemnation and criticism, the UK government has since imposed sanctions including a travel ban and asset freeze on Iran’s Prosecutor General, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri and the British foreign minister said he “is at the heart of Iran's use of the death penalty”. ALSO WATCH | Iran executes 2 more men detained amid nationwide protests So far, in what is expected to be a series of steps against Iran, on Saturday, Cleverly said that Britain would temporarily withdraw its ambassador from Iran and is considering further action against Tehran following Akbari’s execution. “It is important to recognise that our response is not necessarily limited to the actions that I’ve announced today,” said the UK foreign minister. The UK had also summoned the Iranian chargé d’affaires while the British ambassador to Tehran, Stephen Shercliff, was also summoned by the Iranian authorities for Britain’s “unconventional interventions”. Tehran also reportedly told Shercliff that “decisive action” to protect Iran’s national security will not “depend on the consent of other governments, including England”. ALSO WATCH | Iran executes 2 more protesters; Khamenei appoints new national police chief Reports suggest that the UK will be planning to coordinate with the European Union to formally declare Iran’s IRGC a terrorist organisation which would make it a criminal offence to belong to or participate in the group’s activities in Britain. Notably, this is not the first time that the UK is considering this move. In a press conference, last year, the MI5 chief had said that Iran had planned at least 10 plots to, “kidnap or even kill British or UK-based individuals perceived as enemies of the regime,” since the beginning of 2022 alone. ALSO READ | UK: MI5 chief says expulsion of Russian spies from Europe is a ‘significant strategic blow’ to Moscow After Akbari’s execution France also in “full solidarity with the British authorities”, extending their condolences said at the minister’s request summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Iranian Embassy in Paris to “express our outrage”. In a statement, the French government said that they also issued a warning to him and said, “Iran’s repeated violations of international law cannot go unanswered, especially when it comes to the treatment of the foreign nationals the country arbitrarily detains.” French President Emmanuel Macron called the British-Iranian dual national’s execution an “odious and barbaric act.” He added, “His name adds to too long a list of victims of repression and the death penalty in Iran.” Meanwhile, the US State Department also described the execution as politically motivated and unjust while the US ambassador to the UK called it “appalling and sickening”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Who is Alireza Akbari the British-Iranian dual national executed by Iran for ‘spying’?

Scores of people held an overnight demonstration outside a prison in Iran against the impending execution of two anti-regime protesters.

Videos posted on social media showed people chanting slogans in front of Rajai Shahr jail in Karaj city, while the mother of one the men at risk of execution pleaded for clemency outside the jail, reports BBC.

Mohammad Ghobadlou, 22, and Mohammad Boroughani were found guilty of running over a police officer in a car during protests in November. Ghobadlou’s mother says that her son was not present at the scene when the police officer died.

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About an hour ago, in front of Rajai Shahr Prison to save the lives of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MohamadBroghani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MohamadBroghani</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MohammadGhobadlu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MohammadGhobadlu</a> 
“Until Mullahs are removed, 
This motherland will not be ours”<a href="https://t.co/JjEcJcgfR9">pic.twitter.com/JjEcJcgfR9</a>
— 1500tasvir_en (@1500tasvir_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/1500tasvir_en/status/1612254321596325888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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This comes after two protesters were hanged on Saturday, drawing international condemnation.

The UN human rights office decried the "shocking" executions of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, saying that Iran followed "unfair trials based on forced confessions".

<h2>Iran executes 2 more protesters; Khamenei appoints new national police chief</h2>

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A Revolutionary Court found the men guilty of "corruption on Earth" for allegedly killing a member of the paramilitary Basij force in Karaj in November. Both denied the charge and said they were tortured.

Iran has been punishing the protesters who have been on the streets for more than four months following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained for breaking the Islamic dress code.

The Iranian government treats the protests as “treason” and vowed to crack down on further demonstrations.

According to the Human Rights Activists' News Agency (HRANA), at least 519 protesters and 68 security personnel have been killed in the unrest.

<h2>Iran envoys summoned worldwide</h2>

Iranian ambassadors in Europe are being summoned over the execution of two men on Saturday, putting Iran on the backburner.

Britain's foreign minister James Cleverly summoned Iran’s most senior diplomat on Monday after Iranian authorities executed protestors Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini.

"Today I have summoned the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires to condemn in the strongest possible terms the abhorrent executions we witnessed over the weekend," Cleverly said in a statement.

France, too, followed suit on Monday and summoned Iran’s envoy over the regime’s crackdown on demonstrations.

"The Iranian charge d'affaires will be summoned today to the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs to convey our firmest condemnation of these executions and the current repression in Iran," the&nbsp;ministry&nbsp;said.

Meanwhile, Germany lodged its protest against the executions, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calling Iranian envoy in Berlin "to make unmistakably clear that the brutal repression, the oppression and the terrorising of its own population as well as the most recent two executions will not remain without&nbsp;consequence".

(With inputs from agencies)

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Scores of people held an overnight demonstration outside a prison in Iran against the impending execution of two anti-regime protesters. Videos posted on social media showed people chanting slogans in front of Rajai Shahr jail in Karaj city, while the mother of one the men at risk of execution pleaded for clemency outside the jail, reports BBC.

Scores of people held an overnight demonstration outside a prison in Iran against the impending execution of two anti-regime protesters. Videos posted on social media showed people chanting slogans in front of Rajai Shahr jail in Karaj city, while the mother of one the men at risk of execution pleaded for clemency outside the jail, reports BBC. Mohammad Ghobadlou, 22, and Mohammad Boroughani were found guilty of running over a police officer in a car during protests in November. Ghobadlou’s mother says that her son was not present at the scene when the police officer died. About an hour ago, in front of Rajai Shahr Prison to save the lives of #MohamadBroghani and #MohammadGhobadlu “Until Mullahs are removed, This motherland will not be ours”pic.twitter.com/JjEcJcgfR9 — 1500tasvir_en (@1500tasvir_en) January 9, 2023 × This comes after two protesters were hanged on Saturday, drawing international condemnation. The UN human rights office decried the "shocking" executions of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, saying that Iran followed "unfair trials based on forced confessions". Iran executes 2 more protesters; Khamenei appoints new national police chief A Revolutionary Court found the men guilty of "corruption on Earth" for allegedly killing a member of the paramilitary Basij force in Karaj in November. Both denied the charge and said they were tortured. Iran has been punishing the protesters who have been on the streets for more than four months following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained for breaking the Islamic dress code. The Iranian government treats the protests as “treason” and vowed to crack down on further demonstrations. According to the Human Rights Activists' News Agency (HRANA), at least 519 protesters and 68 security personnel have been killed in the unrest. Iran envoys summoned worldwide Iranian ambassadors in Europe are being summoned over the execution of two men on Saturday, putting Iran on the backburner. Britain's foreign minister James Cleverly summoned Iran’s most senior diplomat on Monday after Iranian authorities executed protestors Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini. "Today I have summoned the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires to condemn in the strongest possible terms the abhorrent executions we witnessed over the weekend," Cleverly said in a statement. France, too, followed suit on Monday and summoned Iran’s envoy over the regime’s crackdown on demonstrations. "The Iranian charge d'affaires will be summoned today to the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs to convey our firmest condemnation of these executions and the current repression in Iran," the ministry said. Meanwhile, Germany lodged its protest against the executions, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calling Iranian envoy in Berlin "to make unmistakably clear that the brutal repression, the oppression and the terrorising of its own population as well as the most recent two executions will not remain without consequence". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Scores agitate outside Iranian jail ahead of execution of two anti-govt protesters

According to reports, Iran has executed three women for murdering their husbands one of whom was a former child bride who had killed her husband a few years ago.

Iran's human rights group said the former child bride named Soheila Abadi was hanged after being convicted. She had married the man ten years ago when she was 15.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-claims-to-detain-individuals-involved-in-sabotage-plans-linked-to-israel-500112">Also Read:&nbsp;Iran claims to detain individuals involved in sabotage plans linked to Israel</a>

Amnesty International on Wednesday accused Iranian authorities of embarking on an "execution spree" while informing that 251 people were killed between January and June this year and warned that if it continued then they will soon surpass 314 executions recorded last year.

Watch:&nbsp;Rate of execution increases in Iran

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The rights group said among the 146 people executed for murder this year, their trials were "unfair" while 86 were executed for drugs-related offences which according to international law should not incur the death penalty.

"During the first six months of 2022, the Iranian authorities executed at least one person a day on average," Amnesty International said.

The group claimed Iranian authorities have carried out mass executions across the country as officials in Raja’i Shahr prison have executed five people each week on average while carrying out ten executions in some weeks.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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According to reports, Iran has executed three women for murdering their husbands one of whom was a former child bride who had killed her husband a few years ago.

According to reports, Iran has executed three women for murdering their husbands one of whom was a former child bride who had killed her husband a few years ago. Iran's human rights group said the former child bride named Soheila Abadi was hanged after being convicted. She had married the man ten years ago when she was 15. Also Read: Iran claims to detain individuals involved in sabotage plans linked to Israel Amnesty International on Wednesday accused Iranian authorities of embarking on an "execution spree" while informing that 251 people were killed between January and June this year and warned that if it continued then they will soon surpass 314 executions recorded last year. Watch: Rate of execution increases in Iran The rights group said among the 146 people executed for murder this year, their trials were "unfair" while 86 were executed for drugs-related offences which according to international law should not incur the death penalty. "During the first six months of 2022, the Iranian authorities executed at least one person a day on average," Amnesty International said. The group claimed Iranian authorities have carried out mass executions across the country as officials in Raja’i Shahr prison have executed five people each week on average while carrying out ten executions in some weeks. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran executes three women, including former child bride; Amnesty slams authorities

Iran on Saturday executed Ruhollah Zam, a former opposition figure who had lived in exile in France and was implicated in anti-government protests, days after his sentence was upheld.

State television said the "counter-revolutionary" Zam was hanged in the morning after the supreme court upheld his sentence due to "the severity of the crimes" committed against the Islamic republic.

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili had on Tuesday said Zam's sentence was upheld by the supreme court "more than a month ago".

London-based rights group Amnesty International, in a statement after his verdict was confirmed, described Zam as a "journalist and dissident".

It said the confirmation marked "a shocking escalation in the use of the death penalty as a weapon of repression."

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced the arrest of Zam in October 2019, claiming he had been "directed by France's intelligence service".

State television said he was "under the protection of several countries' intelligence services."

The official IRNA news agency said he was also convicted of espionage for France and an unnamed country in the region, cooperating with the "hostile government of America", acting against "the country's security", insulting the "sanctity of Islam" and instigating violence during the 2017 protests.

At least 25 people were killed during the unrest in December 2017 and January 2018 that was sparked by economic hardship.

Zam, who was granted political asylum in France and reportedly lived in Paris, ran a channel on the Telegram messaging app called Amadnews.

Telegram shut down the channel after Iran demanded it remove the account for inciting an "armed uprising".

Zam was charged with "corruption on earth" -- one of the most serious offences under Iranian law -- and sentenced to death in June.

State television aired an "interview" with him in July, in which he appears as saying he believed in reformism until he was detained in 2009 during protests against the disputed re-election of ultra-conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

He also denied having instigated violence through his Telegram channel.

Amnesty has repeatedly called on Iran to stop broadcasting videos of "confessions" by suspects, saying they "violate the defendants' rights".

Zam is one of several people to have been put on death row over participation or links to protests that rocked Iran between 2017 and 2019.

Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old wrestler, was executed at a prison in the southern city of Shiraz in September.

The judiciary said he had been found guilty of "voluntary homicide" for stabbing to death a government employee in August 2018.

Shiraz and several other urban centres across Iran had been the scene of anti-government protests and demonstrations at the time over economic and social hardship.

Three young men were also sentenced to death over links to deadly 2019 protests, but Iran's supreme court said last week that it would retry them over a request by their defence team.

Their sentences were initially upheld by a tribunal over evidence the judiciary said was found on their phones of them setting alight banks, buses and public buildings during the wave of anti-government protests.

Iran on Saturday executed Ruhollah Zam, a former opposition figure who had lived in exile in France and was implicated in anti-government protests, days after his sentence was upheld.

Iran on Saturday executed Ruhollah Zam, a former opposition figure who had lived in exile in France and was implicated in anti-government protests, days after his sentence was upheld. State television said the "counter-revolutionary" Zam was hanged in the morning after the supreme court upheld his sentence due to "the severity of the crimes" committed against the Islamic republic. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili had on Tuesday said Zam's sentence was upheld by the supreme court "more than a month ago". London-based rights group Amnesty International, in a statement after his verdict was confirmed, described Zam as a "journalist and dissident". It said the confirmation marked "a shocking escalation in the use of the death penalty as a weapon of repression." Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced the arrest of Zam in October 2019, claiming he had been "directed by France's intelligence service". State television said he was "under the protection of several countries' intelligence services." The official IRNA news agency said he was also convicted of espionage for France and an unnamed country in the region, cooperating with the "hostile government of America", acting against "the country's security", insulting the "sanctity of Islam" and instigating violence during the 2017 protests. At least 25 people were killed during the unrest in December 2017 and January 2018 that was sparked by economic hardship. Zam, who was granted political asylum in France and reportedly lived in Paris, ran a channel on the Telegram messaging app called Amadnews. Telegram shut down the channel after Iran demanded it remove the account for inciting an "armed uprising". Zam was charged with "corruption on earth" -- one of the most serious offences under Iranian law -- and sentenced to death in June. State television aired an "interview" with him in July, in which he appears as saying he believed in reformism until he was detained in 2009 during protests against the disputed re-election of ultra-conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He also denied having instigated violence through his Telegram channel. Amnesty has repeatedly called on Iran to stop broadcasting videos of "confessions" by suspects, saying they "violate the defendants' rights". Zam is one of several people to have been put on death row over participation or links to protests that rocked Iran between 2017 and 2019. Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old wrestler, was executed at a prison in the southern city of Shiraz in September. The judiciary said he had been found guilty of "voluntary homicide" for stabbing to death a government employee in August 2018. Shiraz and several other urban centres across Iran had been the scene of anti-government protests and demonstrations at the time over economic and social hardship. Three young men were also sentenced to death over links to deadly 2019 protests, but Iran's supreme court said last week that it would retry them over a request by their defence team. Their sentences were initially upheld by a tribunal over evidence the judiciary said was found on their phones of them setting alight banks, buses and public buildings during the wave of anti-government protests.

Iran executes opposition figure Ruhollah Zam

Iran has executed a group of 20 &quot;terrorist&quot; Sunni prisoners suspected of attacks on security forces, drawing condemnation from rights groups which said the convictions may have been based on forced confessions. 
 
State news agency IRNA said members of the Tawhid and Jihad group were executed on Tuesday, but did not give a figure. Rights groups said between 10 and 20 people were killed. 
 
They were convicted of killing two Sunni Muslim clerics, several police and wildlife guards, abducting a number of people and carrying out armed robbery and bombings in Western Iran, IRNA said. 
 
Iranian state television broadcast what it said were the confessions of some members of the Sunni Muslim group, in which they said they targeted both Shi&#39;ite and Sunni clerics whose ideologies they regarded as heresy. 
 
Iran&#39;s seven million Kurds make up around 10 per cent of the population. Most live in Kurdistan and other northwestern provinces on the border with Iraq. Many Kurds seek greater rights for their region. 
 
The area has seen increased clashes between kurdish militants and government security forces in recent months. 
 
Iran&#39;s intelligence ministry said in a statement carried by IRNA that more than 100 members of the Tawhid and Jihad &quot;terrorist&quot; group had been identified, many of whom had been arrested or killed in clashes since 2011. 
 
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, an independent organisation based in New York, said 20 prisoners had been hanged. It said Iran&#39;s Supreme Court had rejected the appeal of one of the convicts, Shahram Ahmadi, against his death sentence despite assertions his confession was made under torture. 
 
Human Rights Watch condemned Iran for what it said was the &quot;mass execution of at least 10 prisoners&quot;. Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW&#39;s middle east and north africa director, said Iran had executed at least 230 people in 2016. 
 
Iran is one of the world&#39;s top executioners, international rights groups say. Amnesty International said Iran executed at least 977 people in 2015. 
 
Iran rejects international criticism of its rights record as politically motivated. 
 
Iran&#39;s judiciary said the latest cases had been under deliberation for more than six years to make sure all aspects were investigated and the rights of the accused protected. 
 
(Reuters)

Rights groups say the figure could be as high as 20 and that the convictions may have been based on forced confessions

Iran has executed a group of 20 "terrorist" Sunni prisoners suspected of attacks on security forces, drawing condemnation from rights groups which said the convictions may have been based on forced confessions. State news agency IRNA said members of the Tawhid and Jihad group were executed on Tuesday, but did not give a figure. Rights groups said between 10 and 20 people were killed. They were convicted of killing two Sunni Muslim clerics, several police and wildlife guards, abducting a number of people and carrying out armed robbery and bombings in Western Iran, IRNA said. Iranian state television broadcast what it said were the confessions of some members of the Sunni Muslim group, in which they said they targeted both Shi'ite and Sunni clerics whose ideologies they regarded as heresy. Iran's seven million Kurds make up around 10 per cent of the population. Most live in Kurdistan and other northwestern provinces on the border with Iraq. Many Kurds seek greater rights for their region. The area has seen increased clashes between kurdish militants and government security forces in recent months. Iran's intelligence ministry said in a statement carried by IRNA that more than 100 members of the Tawhid and Jihad "terrorist" group had been identified, many of whom had been arrested or killed in clashes since 2011. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, an independent organisation based in New York, said 20 prisoners had been hanged. It said Iran's Supreme Court had rejected the appeal of one of the convicts, Shahram Ahmadi, against his death sentence despite assertions his confession was made under torture. Human Rights Watch condemned Iran for what it said was the "mass execution of at least 10 prisoners". Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW's middle east and north africa director, said Iran had executed at least 230 people in 2016. Iran is one of the world's top executioners, international rights groups say. Amnesty International said Iran executed at least 977 people in 2015. Iran rejects international criticism of its rights record as politically motivated. Iran's judiciary said the latest cases had been under deliberation for more than six years to make sure all aspects were investigated and the rights of the accused protected. (Reuters)

Iran executes at least 10 Sunni 'terrorists' in 1 day

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