The French government has «strongly» condemned the execution of an Iranian protester ordered by the country’s authorities, the first to its knowledge since the start of protests against the death in custody of young Mahsa Amini for improperly wearing the Islamic veil.
«This execution adds to numerous other serious and unacceptable violations of fundamental rights and freedoms committed by the Iranian authorities,» the Ministry regretted.
«France reaffirms its commitment to the freedom to demonstrate peacefully and strongly condemns the repression exercised against Iranian demonstrators. Their aspirations for more freedom and respect for their rights are legitimate and must be heard,» the statement added.
The prisoner was convicted of «intentionally» injuring a security guard with a long knife and blocking a street in the capital, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
The Iranian authorities have rejected the appeal by the prisoner’s lawyer, considering it «neither valid nor justified», as they consider that he is guilty of «war crimes» by blocking the street, threatening with weapons and confronting the officers.
Iran’s Supreme Court — which considers that the protester’s actions were an «example of hypocrisy» — approved the sentence on Thursday morning and executed the judgment.
The judges based their decision on alleged statements by witnesses to the incident, who claimed that the people present were very frightened by the presence of the armed demonstrator.
