Today, Iran carried out the second execution of Majid Reza Rahnavard over the widespread protest in Tehran. The convicted protester was hanged publicly in his hometown, Mashhad, on the charges of killing two security personnel in the northeastern city of Mashhad and performing “Moharebeh.”
According to Mizan News Agency, Reza Rahnavard stabbed Hossein Zeinalzadeh and Danial Rezazadeh to death on Har Ameli Street in Mashhad on November 17. He has also been accused of injuring several ordinary citizens while fleeing the scene.
CCTV footage released by the police showed security personnel stabbed to death by Reza when they came to mitigate the issue between Reza and the shopkeeper, who was told to shutter down his shop to support the three-day Protest. Later, the situation worsened, and many citizens suffered injuries amid the violent brawl.
Generation Z Protestor Reza Rahnavard Was Hanged Publicly-
On Nov 19, Reza Rahnavard was arrested by law enforcement while trying to run away from the country. Immediately after, on Nov 24, he was handed the death penalty. Reza Rahnavard, the convicted protester, was charged with “Moharebeh” (waging war against God).
Since the Iran 1979 revolution, Protesters were penalized to death in public who raised war against Allah or executed “moharebeh.”
The execution of Reza Rahnavard was the second execution linked with the worldwide spread protest, the Iran Protest. The execution took place less than a week after the first execution of Mohsen Shekari, who threatened citizens with cold weapons and injured a security guard.
The First Execution In Iran Over The Ongoing Iran Protest-
On Nov 20, Mohsen Shekari, 23, was handed his death penalty for “disturbing the social order, decorum and security and waging the enmity against Allah.” However, the execution carried condemnation across the world, especially from the western countries and the UN. Intending to abolish the death penalty, the UN experts said,” “executions following unfair trials comprise an arbitrary deprivation of life.“
Mahsa Amini Died In Morality Police Custody-
According to several media reports, the protest got triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman in morality police custody, on Sept 16. The 22-year-old was arrested by the morality police of Iran, tasked to enforce a strict dress code and behaviour code, for wearing sporting skinny jeans and her hijab incorrectly.
According to her family, she was beaten and tortured severely and died during the course. However, the police and Govt refused the fact and declared her death was due to “underlying diseases.”
So far, the Iranian authority has issued eleven death sentences which are yet to be executed in the apex court, to curb the ongoing months-long unrest.
