Widespread Reactions to the Execution of the 'Isfahan House' Defendants; Protesters Took to the Streets in Several Cities in Iran

The execution of Saleh Mirhashimi, Majid Kazemi Sheikhshabani, and Saeed Yaghoubi Kordsefi, defendants in the 'Isfahan House' case on Friday, May 17, has sparked criticism and anger in Iran and around the world. In Tehran, a number of protesters shouted against Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. In Isfahan, protesters chanted against the 'executing republic.' In Zahedan, various slogans were raised against the Islamic Republic during weekly demonstrations after Friday prayers. Simultaneously, several opposition figures inside and outside the country expressed widespread reactions against the actions of the Islamic Republic. Reza Pahlavi, in a video message shared on his social media, stated, 'Despite your efforts in Isfahan and your cries, this regime continues to ruthlessly kill our compatriots.' He emphasized the need for solidarity and maintaining hope, stating that the struggle must continue until victory. Masih Alinejad, an opposition figure and host of VOA's 'Tablet' program, tweeted in English, 'Shame on the United Nations for appointing the Islamic Republic of Iran as the head of the [Social] Human Rights Council. Shame on Western countries for not listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization and shame on the West for wanting to return to a nuclear deal with a murderous regime.' Alinejad described the Islamic Republic as 'an enemy of humanity and life,' adding, 'Zahhak sees the only way to survive is by spilling the blood of the youth of this land.' Hamid Ismailion, another opposition figure and a member of the association of families of the victims of flight PS752, stated that 'every crime ignites our anger against the Islamic Republic.' He further wrote that instead of mourning, the focus should be on ways to overthrow the regime and empower the people inside Iran. Inside Iran, many protests have erupted against the execution of the three defendants in the 'Isfahan House' case. Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb, a human rights activist and political prisoner, sent a voice message from prison opposing the wave of executions, stating, 'Here is Iran, Evin Prison, Ward 6, Hall 2. The execution and suppression machine of the clerics and military continues.' He pointed out the people's protests, inflation, rising prices, restrictions on freedoms, lack of social justice, and the pressures on the people, workers, teachers, and retirees, stating, 'The only way is to remove the ruling clerics and military.' He added that these executions, suppressions, and killings are condemned by all Iranians. Molavi Abdulhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader in Zahedan, also described these executions as 'painful.' In his Friday sermon on May 17, he referred to a letter from the defendants from prison regarding their forced confessions, stating, 'Confessions under torture have no legal or religious standing.' The three executed protesters were accused of killing two Basij members and a police officer, a charge they and their families have repeatedly denied, claiming they were forced to make televised confessions after severe torture. The reactions of artists to the execution of the 'Isfahan House' defendants included Abi stating, 'One day you will pay for this crime.' The European Union strongly condemned the execution of the 'Isfahan House' defendants, and there were widespread global reactions to the executions, labeling the Islamic Republic as 'a threat to humanity.'