Public executions have resumed on the streets of Iran as the government cracks down on dissent, according to recent statements from human rights organizations and families of those executed. Cranes were used to hang three young protesters in the central city of Isfahan last week.
Amirhossein Safari, 27, Abolfazl Sepahi, 23, and Alirez Sepahi, 25, were reportedly taken to Isfahan’s Alikhani Street for execution. They were charged with crimes related to protests against the regime in January.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated that Iran has executed at least 56 people on national security-related charges since March 19. Of these, 27 individuals were involved in cases linked to nationwide protests in January. Türk also warned that over 100 more people are at risk of execution on similar charges.
Iranian lawyers within the country indicated to ABC News that the actual number of individuals facing execution risks on protest-related charges may be higher. In the Alikhani case, 12 young men were sentenced to death, with eight others currently awaiting execution. Several more received prison sentences of five to 10 years.
On Tuesday, July 28, scaffolding was erected in Isfahan’s Alikhani Square, and a crane was brought to the scene as security forces gathered, raising fears of a public execution. A crowd of citizens reportedly gathered at the site. Eyewitnesses told ABC News that security forces escorted the van transporting the defendants with a truck equipped with a machine gun, apparently to deter potential protests at the execution site.
The defendants reportedly arrived at dawn, the time mandated by the regime's laws for carrying out death sentences. Social media reactions from Iranians reflected a fear associated with the morning prayer call, now perceived as a reminder of death.
While Safari and Abolfazl Sepahi were hanged on Thursday, Alireza Sepahi was taken to a hospital after collapsing, which human rights groups attributed to heatstroke or a heart attack. He did not reach the gallows.
Family members and friends of the defendants have stated that the regime forced confessions through severe physical and psychological torture. They also reported that the defendants were denied legal counsel of their choice. In some instances, courts reportedly refused to accept evidence suggesting the defendants were not present at the alleged crime scene at the time.
One family member told ABC News, "They have tortured them for days to confess to murder." Even a court-appointed lawyer reportedly lacked access to the case during the trial and after the death sentence was issued. Parents of the defendants were also informed of the death sentence only after its issuance.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the death sentences in this case, expressing concern over the judicial process and allegations of confessions obtained under duress. Amnesty International also condemned the recent executions, noting that at least three individuals on death row were arrested as children. The organization urged UN member states to take coordinated diplomatic action to halt further executions by Iranian authorities.
Families of those on death row have reportedly been warned by security and intelligence forces against speaking to the media or contacting relatives of other defendants in similar cases, with threats of consequences for themselves and their other children.