Iran Executes Man Accused of Aiding US and Israel

At a Glance

Majid Adineh, convicted over January protests and executed on Sunday
Iran accuses him of aiding hostile groups
Rights groups report rising executions

Iran has executed a man convicted over his alleged role in nationwide anti-government protests, according to the Iranian judiciary.

Key Statements and Focus Area

Iranian judiciary: Adineh was convicted of “operational action in favor of hostile groups" and other offenses related to Iran’s internal security and was accused of “deliberate arson” and activities aimed at harming Iran’s internal security.
Arrest: Authorities said Adineh was arrested carrying a revolver, ammunition, two tasers, two tear gas canisters, a rechargeable chainsaw, and a bottle of gasoline. He was also accused of carrying the chainsaw during the demonstrations.

Majid Adineh was executed Sunday morning after the Supreme Court upheld a death sentence issued by the Karaj Revolutionary Court, according to Mizan Online, the judiciary’s news website.

Mizan Online reported that, besides arson, Adineh was accused of gathering and collusion with the intention of committing crimes against Iran’s internal security.

According to the judiciary, the court relied on evidence and statements attributed to Adineh before issuing the death sentence and ordering the confiscation of his property. His appeal was rejected, and the Supreme Court upheld the ruling.

Iranian authorities said Adineh and another suspect were arrested on January 9 in Alborz province, west of Tehran.

Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based organization, and Together Against the Death Penalty, based in Paris, reported that Iran executed at least 1,639 people last year, the highest number recorded since 1989. Amnesty International says Iran carries out the second-highest number of executions globally, after China.

FYI

The protests began in late December amid public grievances over rising living costs before developing into nationwide anti-government demonstrations. The unrest reached its peak on January 8 and 9. Iranian authorities have reported more than 3,000 deaths during the unrest and blamed the violence on what they described as terrorist acts organized by the United States and Israel.

Iran has carried out an increasing number of executions since the Middle East war began on February 28 with U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. Iranian authorities have linked a number of the executions to the protests, while other cases have been connected to the war.