IRAN. Iran executions rise sharply to 834 last year 'to instil societal fear', report says
IRAN. Iran executions rise sharply to 834 last year 'to instil societal fear', report says
Executions in Iran have surged for a second year running to 834, campaign groups say.
Most were undocumented hangings, Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and France's Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) said. Official sources noted 125 executions.
The Iranian authorities were weaponising the death penalty to "instil societal fear", they said.
It follows nationwide protests led by women and girls.
The protests were sparked by the death of Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022 and led to a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities.
While at least eight protesters were executed last year, the vast majority of executions were reportedly based on drug-related charges (56%) and murder charges (34%). (BBC, UK, 05.03.2024)