Iran Issues First Death Sentence Linked To "Riots" After Mahsa Amini's Death

On Sunday, November 13, Iran issued its first death sentence linked to participation in the "riots" that sparked after Mahsa Amini's untimely death.

An unidentified accused was sentenced to death in a Tehran court for the crimes of "setting fire to a government building, disturbing public order, assembly and conspiracy to commit a crime against national security".

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Iran Issues Death Sentence

The accused was also sentenced for being "an enemy of God and corruption on Earth" according to Mizan Online. The latter charge is one of the most serious offences under Iranian law.

Protests sparked after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the morality police on September 16. She was detained by the morality police for allegedly wearing her headscarf loosely.

For almost two months, there was been nationwide protests in Iran which have also spread to the international level. The Iranian authorities have brutally cracked down on the protests. According to the non-government organisation (NGO) Iran Human Rights, at least 304 people have been killed by security forces in the violent crackdowns.

Amnesty International reported that the Iranian security forces fired into groups with live ammunition and in some cases were killing protesters by attacking them with batons.

The Iranian authorities have labelled the demonstrations and protests as "riots". Reportedly, more than 2,000 people have been charged since the demonstrations began. Activists, protesters, and journalists were detained by the Iranian authorities.

The detained demonstrators face accusations such as "incitement to killing", "propaganda against the regime", "harming security forces", and "damaging public property".

Another court in Tehran sentenced five other accused to prison for between 5 to 10 years for "gathering and conspiring to commit crimes against national security and disturbing public order".

The Mizan Online website added that those convicted could appeal their sentences.

Earlier this month, 272 of 290 Iranian lawmakers demanded that the judiciary apply "an eye for an eye" retributive justice against the demonstrators who "harmed people's lives and property with bladed weapons and firearms".

Another 276 people were charged in the central province of Markazi.

Iranian authorities are denying the claim by rights groups that about 15,000 people were detained in the unrest after Amini's death.