Protests have been going on in Iran for the past few days. During this demonstration where more than 500 people have died. At the same time, more than 10 thousand people have been detained. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities are now preparing to carry out the first execution related to the ongoing anti-Khamenei protests across the country. 26 year old Erfan Soltani may soon be hanged for protesting.
Erfan Soltani is a resident of Fardis area of Karaj near Tehran. He was arrested on January 8 for taking part in demonstrations against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to human rights organizations and media reports, his execution has been scheduled for Wednesday.
Until now, death penalty has been used to suppress dissent in Iran, but in most cases death was by shooting. There is news of Erfan Soltani being hanged during the current protests, which will happen for the first time in this movement. According to Israeli and American news outlet Jfeed, Soltani's case could be the beginning of hasty executions, so that no further demonstrations take place. Hengaw, a Kurdish human rights organization registered in Norway, has expressed serious concern about the lack of transparency in this entire legal process.
Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur Mario Nofal posted about Soltani on his X handle, saying the execution could be the first of many. He alleged that Iranian officials were trying to control the crowd by using fear.
Since his arrest, Soltani was not given basic legal rights. He was neither allowed to meet a lawyer nor get a chance to present his defence. His family was also kept away from important information related to the case, not even told which agency arrested him.
According to the report of Jfeed, quoting the Hangau organization, it has been told that on January 11, Soltani's family was informed about his death sentence. After this he was allowed to meet him only for 10 minutes. A source close to the family told Hangau that the authorities have made it clear that the punishment is final and will be implemented at the appointed time.
The source also said that Soltani's sister, herself a lawyer, tried to pursue the case through legal channels. But, till now, he has not been allowed to see the case file nor has he been allowed to represent his brother or challenge the sentence.
Mario Naufal also claimed that around 2,000 people have died in the ongoing anti-Khamenei protests so far. Demonstrations started on 28 December due to the economic crisis in Iran. The demonstrations began in the markets of Tehran and then quickly spread to other cities. Shopkeepers, students and common citizens took to the streets and started demanding political change in view of the deteriorating conditions and rising inflation.
The movement which was earlier limited to economic issues, has now become the largest nationwide movement in the last several years to remove the government of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
