Iran's judiciary has vehemently denied plans to execute a protester, who was arrested in connection with the country's recent unrest. Erfan Soltani, 26, is accused of "colluding against national security" and "propaganda activities against the establishment", charges that do not carry the death penalty. The Iranian government claims that reports of his execution were fabricated by foreign media outlets.
The US Treasury Department has announced new sanctions on five senior Iranian officials accused of being involved in the regime's crackdown on protesters, a move that came after President Donald Trump warned Iran against executing protesters.
Iran Human Rights has stated that threats of the death penalty are common and have been used to intimidate protesters and their families. The group estimates around 20,000 people have been arrested during the protests, which have resulted in at least 2,453 protester deaths, including 14 children, as well as 156 government and security personnel.
The current wave of protests began after shopkeepers in Tehran went on strike over rising living costs, quickly spreading across the country against Iran's clerical establishment. The slogans chanted by demonstrators include "Death to the dictator" and "Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will be toppled this year". The government has responded with deadly force, met with a near-total shutdown of internet and communication services.
International criticism has mounted over the Iranian regime's response to the protests. Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand has described the situation as "repression and ongoing human rights violations", while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that an Iranian staff member was killed in the line of duty during the unrest.
Iran's judiciary maintains that it is taking swift action against protesters, with the chief justice stating that those who beheaded people or burned them alive must be tried and punished as quickly as possible. The US has threatened to take "very strong action" if executions occur.
The US Treasury Department has announced new sanctions on five senior Iranian officials accused of being involved in the regime's crackdown on protesters, a move that came after President Donald Trump warned Iran against executing protesters.
Iran Human Rights has stated that threats of the death penalty are common and have been used to intimidate protesters and their families. The group estimates around 20,000 people have been arrested during the protests, which have resulted in at least 2,453 protester deaths, including 14 children, as well as 156 government and security personnel.
The current wave of protests began after shopkeepers in Tehran went on strike over rising living costs, quickly spreading across the country against Iran's clerical establishment. The slogans chanted by demonstrators include "Death to the dictator" and "Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will be toppled this year". The government has responded with deadly force, met with a near-total shutdown of internet and communication services.
International criticism has mounted over the Iranian regime's response to the protests. Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand has described the situation as "repression and ongoing human rights violations", while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that an Iranian staff member was killed in the line of duty during the unrest.
Iran's judiciary maintains that it is taking swift action against protesters, with the chief justice stating that those who beheaded people or burned them alive must be tried and punished as quickly as possible. The US has threatened to take "very strong action" if executions occur.
i'm so worried about erfan soltani 
like he's literally been accused of 'colluding against national security' and propaganda activities... that doesn't even sound like a real charge! 
what's going on in iran right now is just heartbreaking 
those protesters have already lost so many lives, including 14 adorable kids 
& 156 government people... the sanctions from the us are like a huge weight off their shoulders 
but still we gotta be careful & not assume that everyone's being punished fairly 
At the same time, I'm all about supporting human rights and stuff, so maybe the sanctions are a good move... but what if it just makes things worse for the regular people in Iran? 
But, like, we don't know the full story here, do we? Are these people really guilty of colluding against national security? 
And what's up with all these chants about "Death to the dictator" - are they just being super aggressive or is there more to it than that? 
he's like a total innocent guy, just trying to express himself and stuff... it's not fair that the gov is threatening to execute him over fake charges 
i mean, we all know the US is on Iran's case anyway, but can't they just leave him alone? 
those 20k+ arrests and 2,453 deaths are straight-up crazy 
. 
& now spread nationwide against clerical establishment 
.
. 
it was so surreal! anyway back to iran protests... did you know that there's this awesome coffee shop in tokyo called tsuta which serves the most amazing matcha latte? I need to try it ASAP 
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. I mean, 20,000 arrests and over 2,400 protester deaths? That's some crazy stuff right there.
. And I know the government says they're not executing anyone, but what if they are? What if they just don't want to admit it?