Iran hangs first protester related to mass demonstrations

Iran has executed the first protester known to have been convicted for taking part in current anti-government demonstrations.

The judiciary said he was executed on Thursday, after being found guilty of Moharebeh — enmity against God — for stabbing a security guard and blocking a street in Tehran. An appeal by his lawyer had been rejected.

Mizan news agency, which is affiliated to the judiciary, identified the man as Mohsen Shekari and said he had participated in “riots” and attacked a member of the Basij paramilitary group, in exchange for money.

His execution, reported to have taken place just before sunrise, came a day after young protesters used national Student Day to voice their anger at authorities.

While Mr Shekari is the first protester in the recent demonstrations known to have been executed, 11 people have been handed death sentences for participating, according to the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights non-government organisation.

Activists say more than 500 people have been killed since the protest movement began on September 16, with least 18,000 detained — some held in secret prisons.

Protests were sparked by the death of Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini, 22, in the custody of the morality police. She had been detained in Tehran for wearing her hijab “improperly”.

Iran is one of the world's largest executioners. Last week, it executed four men arrested in June for co-operating with Israeli intelligence.

On Tuesday, Tehran announced five people had been sentenced to death for the murder of member of the Basij militia, which has played a central role in the suppression of protests.

Trials against government dissidents are often held in revolutionary courts and are regularly condemned as sham hearings, during which those accused are prevented from speaking or seeing the evidence against them.