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An unidentified protestor has been ordered to be executed by the Iranian government in the first official death sentence from the recent demonstrations in the country.
The protestor was accused of committing arson of a government building and was convicted of “moharebeh,” or enmity against God, and “efsad-fil-arz,” or corruption on Earth, by the Tehran revolutionary court. State news agency IRNA reported the sentencing but did not name the protestor who allegedly committed the crime or the details surrounding the crime.
At least 20 protestors are facing charges that could be punishable by death.
Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based NGO, said on Monday that the “evidence indicates that Islamic Republic authorities may be planning to carry out hasty executions.”
Mass dissent first began in the Middle Eastern country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September. Amini was declared dead while in custody after being detained by the morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.
Over 326 people have been killed by security forces in 57 days of demonstrations including 43 children and 25 women, according to Iran Human Rights. Thousands have been detained after protests spread to 140 cities and towns in the largest challenge against the Iranian government in over a decade.
The country has been impacted by sanctions following its violent suppression of protestors. The European Union has issued sanctions on 29 Iranians and three organizations.
French President Emmanuel Macron was the first European leader to label the conflict a “revolution” after meeting with Iranian dissidents on Saturday.
“The grandchildren of the (Islamic) revolution are leading a revolution against that revolution,” Macron said in a FranceInter radio broadcast Monday.
“I am in favor of a strong diplomatic reaction and sanctions on the regime’s personalities who are in responsible for the repression of this revolution,” he said.
On Friday, the United Nations urged Iranian authorities to “stop using the death penalty as a tool to squash protests.” The organization called on the state to release all protestors.
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