A woman in France draws attention to the executions in Iran.
(Photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire)
Brussels The EU imposes further sanctions because of the serious violations of human rights in Iran. The foreign ministers of the 27 member states unanimously decided on new punitive measures against those responsible in the country on Monday in Brussels, as several diplomats from the German Press Agency confirmed. Specifically, it should be about 20 people and an organization. Further sanctions against Iran for supporting the Russian war against Ukraine were also approved.
According to Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the punitive measures also apply to those responsible for the most recent executions. The sanctions package is aimed in particular at those responsible for “these incredible crimes”, said the Green politician on Monday shortly before the decision. These are the Revolutionary Guards in particular, but also those who try to intimidate or further punish people with violent videos.
Baerbock described the executions in connection with the protests as a blatant attempt to intimidate people who took their opinions to the streets. They were done without a fair trial.
Anti-regime protests have been going on for three months
Shortly before the start of the foreign ministers’ meeting, it became known that the Iranian authorities had executed a second demonstrator in the course of the system-critical protests. According to the judiciary, Majid-Reza R., accused of “waging war against God”, was publicly hanged on Monday in the city of Mashad in the north-east of the country. The man is said to have killed two members of the notorious paramilitary Basij militia with a knife during the November protests.
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The rap musician Mohsen S. had already been executed last Thursday. His execution was the first known in connection with the system-critical protests since mid-September. Mohsen S. is said to have attacked a Basij member with a gun, spreading terror and blocking a road.
The trigger for the nationwide protests was the death of the Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini. She died in police custody on September 16 after being arrested by the Morality Police for breaking the Islamic dress code. Since her death, tens of thousands have been demonstrating across the country against the government’s repressive course and the Islamic system of rule.
More: Second protester executed in Iran – EU plans further sanctions