Iran’s leader promises harrowing crackdown on protesters
2022.12.09 09:59
Iran’s leader promises harrowing crackdown on protesters
Budrigannews.com – On Friday, a day after a man was executed for his role in the recent anti-government unrest that drew widespread condemnation from the West, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi pledged to continue the security crackdown on protesters.
One of the greatest challenges to theocratic rule in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution are the nationwide protests that erupted following the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini while she was being held by police on September 16.
At a ceremony honoring security forces killed during protests, state media reported that Raisi stated, “The identification, trial and punishment of the perpetrators of the martyrdom (killing) of security forces will be pursued with determination.”
Mohsen Shekari, who had been found guilty of stabbing a security guard with a knife and blocking a street in Tehran, was hanged on Thursday in Iran. This was the first such execution following thousands of arrests related to the unrest.
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State media distributed a video of what it said was Shekari’s admission where he shows up with an injury on his right cheek. He admitted to using a knife to kill a Basij militia member and blocking a road on his motorcycle with a friend.
Shekari, according to rights groups, was subjected to torture and forced to confess.
Hardline cleric Ahmad Khatami stated in a sermon for Friday prayers: We express our gratitude to the judiciary for executing the first rioter.
Western accusations that rights violations occurred during the crackdown were interference in Iran’s internal affairs and in violation of international law were rejected by the Iranian foreign ministry.
In a statement distributed by state media, ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated, “Under the slogan of supporting human rights or women’s rights, (Western countries) incite and promote violence against the integrity of the nation and Iran’s national security.”
According to Amnesty International, in “sham trials designed to intimidate those participating in the popular uprising that has rocked Iran,” Iranian authorities are seeking the death penalty for at least 21 individuals.
Despite the fact that protesters have come from all walks of life in the Islamic Republic and have received public support from prominent cultural and sports figures as well as a sister and a niece of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has blamed the unrest on its enemies abroad, including the United States.
Germany confirmed that it had summoned the Iranian ambassador in Berlin, urged Tehran to immediately cease its violence against protesters, and condemned the execution on Friday.
On Friday, Britain announced sanctions against 30 individuals worldwide, including officials from Myanmar, Iran, and Russia that it believes are guilty of human rights violations or corruption.
