Iran executes protester of anti-hijab demonstration

Iran has executed a man for the fatal shooting of a police officer during anti-hijab protests, state-affiliated judiciary website Mizan reported on Saturday (September 6).

Mehran Bahramian was found guilty of opening fire on a police vehicle in the Semirom area of Isfahan province in December 2022, killing officer Mohsen Rezaei and injuring several others.

Bahramian was hanged early on Saturday for his role in the attack.

The execution comes in the context of nationwide protests that erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022. Amini had been arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly failing to wear her hijab properly and died hours later.

Hundreds of protesters and security personnel were killed during the unrest.

With Bahramian’s execution, at least 10 people linked to the 2022 protests have been put to death. Some human rights groups report that Bahramian’s brother, Fazel, has also been sentenced to death, while another brother, Morad, was killed by security forces during the protests.

Amnesty International and other rights organisations have repeatedly criticised Iran’s judicial system, saying that confessions are often extracted through beatings, prolonged solitary confinement, and threats against detainees and their families, raising serious concerns about the fairness of trials.