Iran escalates crackdown: Social media activist faces death penalty
In Iran in 2022, mass protests erupted in response to the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. The court has now sentenced Mahmoud Mehrabi to death. He published social media content that supported the demonstrations and expressed opposition to the regime's actions.
On Tuesday, the Iranian judiciary announced that Mahmoud Mehrabi was sentenced to death. He will face this punishment for publishing content on social media that supported the protests after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022.
Mehrabi was convicted for publishing content spreading knowledge about how "to use homemade weapons and called for the destruction of public property;" inciting people to kill during the demonstrations, reported Mizan Online.
The verdict can still be appealed
Mizan Online also reported that Mehrabi received "52 lawsuits from individuals for spreading lies". It's important to note that his lawyers were present at the trial.
The court's verdict can be appealed to a higher instance. This presents an opportunity for an appeal against this harsh penalty.
One of Mehrabi's lawyers, Babak Farsani, conveyed through a message on the X platform (formerly Twitter) that his client had been sentenced to death by the revolutionary court for "spreading scandal."
The death of a woman sparked mass protests
In Iran, mass protests broke out after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. The woman died following a brutal arrest by the police for wearing improper attire. Her death ignited a wave of protests across cities, where thousands of people demanded justice and systemic changes. Due to the Iranian authorities' crackdown, thousands of individuals were arrested, many of whom faced harsh treatment.
Recently, the Iranian court handed down a harsh sentence, sentencing rapper Toomaj Salehi to death for his support of the protest movement. Salehi was imprisoned for over a year and a half before this sentence.
Amnesty International has shared concerning figures that highlight the extent of repression in Iran. According to their data, in 2023 alone, approximately 853 people were executed.
