Iranian justice announced on Monday, January 9, three new death sentences linked to the protest movement sparked in Iran by the death in custody - nearly four months ago - of Mahsa Amini.

The latter, a 22-year-old young woman, died on September 16, 2022, three days after her arrest by the morality police for breaching the strict dress code of the Islamic Republic, in particular imposing the wearing of the veil in public for women.

According to Mizan Online - the agency of the judiciary - Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaghoubi, accused of being involved in the death of three members of the security forces during demonstrations, were sentenced to death at first instance .

They were found guilty of "moharebeh (war against God in Persian)," Mizan Online reported.

In the same trial, two other people were sentenced to prison terms for the deaths of the three law enforcement officers in the central province of Isfahan on November 16, 2022, according to the same source.

Among them, footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani, 26, who plays for a local club, was sentenced to a combined 26 years in prison.

But by law, he should serve the longest sentence, which is 16 years.

The risk of his death sentence had been denounced by the world union of professional players (Fifpro).

All of the convictions announced on Monday can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

17 death sentences

The new death sentences bring to 17 the number of people sentenced to death in connection with the protest, according to a count compiled by AFP from official announcements.

Among them, four were executed and two had their sentences confirmed by the Supreme Court.

The others are awaiting new trials or may appeal.

The latest executions, announced on Saturday, sparked an international outcry: two men convicted of killing a paramilitary during the protests were hanged.

According to Amnesty International, Iran is the country that executes the most people sentenced to death outside of China.

Authorities generally refer to the protests as "riots" encouraged by countries and organizations hostile to Iran.

They claim that hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed during the protests and thousands arrested.

With AFP

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