Iran Hangs 18-Year-Old Teenager Over Alleged Role in Protest
TEHRAN (AP), Apr 2: Iran has executed a man linked to nationwide protests that erupted in January, according to the judiciary’s Mizan news agency.
The agency identified the executed individual as 18-year-old Amirhossein Hatami, alleging he was involved in an attack on a military base aimed at seizing weapons. However, rights groups have disputed the charges and raised concerns over the fairness of the proceedings.
The Human Rights Activist News Agency said Hatami had previously been classified as being at risk of execution and described him as a “political prisoner.” It also claimed he and others entered a Tehran base belonging to the Basij militia, a volunteer force under the Revolutionary Guard, after it had already been set on fire. It was later forced to confess in televised statements.
“These individuals had not played any role in setting the fire or destroying property at the site, but had merely entered a building that had already been set ablaze by others,” the group said.
The execution comes amid growing concern from human rights organizations over a reported rise in executions in Iran. In March, Iranian authorities also hanged a 19-year-old wrestler and two other young men, prompting renewed criticism over the treatment of detainees linked to protests and political unrest.