Iranian authorities confirmed Wednesday a second death sentence in connection with protests in recent weeks over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini and indicated that three of those arrested in the demonstrations belong to France’s intelligence services.
The head of the judicial apparatus in the province of Fars, Kazem Musavi, has indicated that the second sentenced to death «assaulted a 16-year-old teenager» during a protest, without giving further details, as reported by the Iranian news portal Mizan Online.
Mousavi’s statements come three days after an Iranian court issued the first death sentence in connection with protests that erupted following the death of Amini, who died on September 16 after being arrested for allegedly wearing the veil incorrectly.
Also, Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi said that several foreigners, including «elements of the French intelligence agency,» have been arrested during the «unrest.» «People of various nationalities have been arrested, some of whom have played a big role (in the protests),» he has indicated.
Vahidi has outlined that «elements related» to the Islamic State jihadist group have also been arrested and added that all of them have been brought to court to «face the law,» as reported by the Iranian Mehr news agency.
«The enemy tried to create an atmosphere of insecurity,» he has denounced, before stressing that «they could not achieve their goals due to the firm ation of the (Iranian) Intelligence and security agencies.»
The news portal Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates that more than 15,000 people have been temporarily or so far taken into police custody since the outbreak of the protests, which have claimed the lives of more than 330 people, including about 50 security forces personnel.
On the other hand, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has announced the arrest of an alleged member of the Mossad, Iran’s intelligence services, when he was «planning a subversive operation», as reported by Mehr.
The agency has highlighted that the man has confessed that he saw an advertisement from the Mossad and sent an email request and his identity documents to collaborate with the agency, after which he contacted them via WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram.
Iranian authorities have announced in recent weeks the dismantling of several cells allegedly composed of Mossad members, without Israel responding to the accusations.
