Iran's judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, has urged courts to accelerate verdicts related to the ongoing conflict, including the implementation of capital punishment. This move has sparked concerns among rights activists over a rise in executions. Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has executed seven individuals linked to January protests, with six people convicted of belonging to the banned opposition group Peoples Mujahedin of Iran and a dual Iranian-Swedish citizen accused of spying for Israel.
Rights groups warn that dozens more individuals could face execution over their involvement in the protests or for allegedly assisting Iran's enemies during the conflict. In response to these concerns, Ejei emphasized the need to expedite the issuing of sentences for executions and property confiscation. However, this move has been met with criticism from rights groups, who argue that it could lead to unfair trials and increased repression.
Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, who lives in exile, has condemned the decision, stating that the government is prioritizing executions and repression over protecting citizens from external threats. According to rights groups, two teenagers are among those executed following the January protests, which were violently suppressed, leaving thousands dead. Authorities have labeled those convicted as terrorists acting on behalf of Israel and the United States, but activists argue that many were subjected to unfair trials.
As the conflict escalates, the international community is closely monitoring the situation in Iran. The US-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center has expressed concerns that carrying out executions during wartime through opaque and expedited processes appears aimed at instilling fear and maintaining control over the population. Amid ongoing arrests, Iran's police chief, Ahmad Reza Radan, said 85 individuals had been detained across 25 provinces for allegedly participating in an organised network that transmitted information to the enemy. The situation remains tense, with many awaiting the outcome of the accelerated trials.
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