By Michelle Ndaga
Iran has executed a man accused of killing security personnel during the nationwide protests that erupted in late 2022, drawing condemnation from rights groups who argue he was denied a fair trial.
The judiciary confirmed that Abbas (Mojahed) Kourkouri was hanged after being found guilty of opening fire in the city of Izeh during the Woman, Life, Freedom demonstrations. Authorities alleged the attack left seven people dead, including a child. He was convicted under charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) and “corruption on earth,” both capital offenses under Iranian law.
While state media reported that Kourkouri confessed to the shootings, Amnesty International and other watchdogs say the confession was extracted under torture. They further suggested security forces may have been responsible for the bloodshed, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the case.
This execution is the 11th linked to the protest movement, which was sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody. It is also the first such execution in nearly a year, underscoring Iran’s continued use of capital punishment against demonstrators despite promises of reform from the country’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Critics argue the move signals the enduring influence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in handling dissent and enforcing strict laws, including the mandatory hijab policy that originally fueled the unrest.
