Iran hangs 18-year-old musician for waging 'war against God'
What's the story
Iran has hanged 18-year-old musician Amir Hossein Hatami, convicted over protests in January. The execution took place at Ghezel Hesar prison near Tehran, according to Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR). The Iranian judiciary said he acted "against national security" on behalf of Israel and the United States by breaking into "a military center and destroying it in order to seize the weapons stored there" during the protests. He was sentenced to death in February along with six others.
Execution criticized
Amnesty International condemns execution as grossly unfair
Amnesty International has condemned the execution as grossly unfair, noting that Hatami was sentenced to death less than a month after his arrest. This is the fourth execution linked to protests that began in late December over rising living costs and later turned into anti-government demonstrations. The protests were met with a crackdown, resulting in thousands of deaths. On March 19, authorities hanged three individuals convicted of killing police officers during the riots, including Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old wrestler.
Escalating tensions
Hundreds face imminent executions
The recent spate of executions comes amid Iran's conflict with the United States and Israel, which began on February 28 after strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said hundreds more now face imminent executions in the coming days and weeks. The seven men convicted in Hatami's case were accused of setting fire to a Basij militia base during protests.
Trial concerns
Sentence handed by 'Judge of Death'
However, defense counsel accused plainclothes forces of trapping demonstrators inside a building, closing the doors, and then starting the fire themselves. The seven men were convicted in a fast-track trial presided over by judge Abolqasem Salavati, known as the "Judge of Death" for his frequent death sentences. They were referred for execution on charges including "enmity against God, corruption on earth, and conspiracy against national security."