Iran publicly executes two over anti-government protests

Iran has publicly executed two individuals convicted of involvement in violence during anti-government protests. The executions were carried out by hanging in the early hours of Tuesday (July 28) at Ali Khani Square in the city of Isfahan.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the two executed individuals were Abdolfazl Sipahi Badzani and Amirhossein Safari Hosseinabadi.

The report said anti-government protests intensified on January 7 and 8 following demonstrations that began late last year. Iranian security forces conducted a crackdown on protesters, leading to the arrest of many on charges of participating in the movement.

The Iranian government accused the two executed individuals of involvement in violence against security forces during protests in Isfahan, including the use of firearms, sharp weapons and bombs, and setting fire to the bodies of those killed. A total of 14 people have been sentenced to death in Isfahan over the same incident.

HRANA, however, claimed that the defendants' lawyers did not have full access to case documents, and family members of the convicts were not provided with complete details of the verdict.

The report, citing CNN, has once again sparked international debate over Iran's judicial process and execution practices.