Iran sentences three more protesters to death for ‘waging war on God’ despite global criticism

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Iran, which has already executed four people who took part in protests in recent months, on Monday sentenced three others to death accused of “waging war on God”.

The three men Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saeid Yaghoubi were accused of killing members of the Basij militia, a paramilitary group affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Two men were hanged on Saturday, while two others were executed in December.

Iranians protest the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, after she was arrested by vice police last month, in Tehran, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. (AP/Middle East Images, File)

Officials from the United States and other Western countries have accused Iran of convicting suspects in mock courts and rushing to carry out their executions.

“These executions are a key part of the regime’s efforts to quell protests,” State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted on Saturday. “We continue to work with partners to pursue accountability for Iran’s brutal repression.”

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Protests erupted across Iran in September following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of Iran’s so-called morality police.

At least 519 protesters have been killed and nearly 20,000 arrested in the past three months, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that has monitored protests.

In this photo taken by a person not employed by The Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, students at the Sharif University of Technology attend a protest sparked by the September death of Mahsa Amini, 22 years old, in the custody of the country’s vice squad. (AP Photo)

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Pope Francis condemned the executions on Monday, saying in his New Year’s address that the death penalty “only fuels the thirst for revenge”.

“The right to life is also under threat where the death penalty continues to be imposed, as is the case these days in Iran, following recent protests demanding greater respect for the dignity of women,” Pope Francis said Monday.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Tips and story ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.

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