Iran has executed two more men over their alleged involvement in the deadly protests that rocked the country earlier this year, bringing the reported number of people put to death in connection with the unrest to at least 37.
The executions of Amirhossein Maleki and Amirhossein Ebrahimi were carried out by hanging early Tuesday in the central city of Isfahan, according to Misan, a news agency affiliated with Iran’s judiciary.
The two men were accused of involvement in the killing of police officers during mass demonstrations in the city. Their families were reportedly summoned to a prison late Monday for a final visit, according to Norway-based human rights organisation Iran Human Rights.
Iranian authorities alleged that both men belonged to a group linked to the killings. Several other individuals accused of belonging to the same group were publicly executed in August, triggering fresh protests over the use of capital punishment.
Human rights activists say 14 men were sentenced to death following a controversial trial, with nine executions carried out so far. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have reportedly arrested lawyer Amirsalar Dawudi, who represents some of the defendants in the case.
The latest executions add to growing concerns over Iran’s use of the death penalty against individuals linked to the nationwide demonstrations, which erupted in late December amid worsening economic conditions before escalating into widespread opposition to the country’s leadership.
The protests were met with a violent government crackdown that left thousands of demonstrators dead, according to human rights reports.
Rights organisations have repeatedly condemned Iran’s extensive use of capital punishment, warning that executions are increasingly being deployed to silence dissent and intimidate opposition voices.
Amnesty International reported that Iran executed at least 2,159 people last year, marking the highest annual figure recorded in the country since 1981.
