Preparations to hang protester Irfan Soltani (file photo)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Preparations are underway to hang a young man amid widespread protests in Iran against the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to human rights organizations, the Iranian government is preparing to execute 26-year-old protester Irfan Soltani.
Soltani was arrested last week during protests in Karaj, near the capital Tehran. He is to be hanged without a proper trial on Wednesday (January 14). Soltani's family was told he had been sentenced to death, Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) quoted sources as saying.
Death toll very high
In fact, this decision has been announced by the Government of Iran at a time when IHR has confirmed 648 people killed during the protests. At the same time, it has been warned that the death toll could be much higher. According to some estimates, the death toll from the demonstrations is estimated to exceed 6,000.
The IHR said the internet shutdown made it extremely difficult to independently verify these reports. It was also told by IHR that an estimated 10,000 people have been arrested here.
appeal to stop hanging
Another human rights group, the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFD), has also appealed for international support to stop Soltani's execution. The NUFD said Soltani's only crime was speaking out for Iran's independence.
According to a report by the US Sun, Soltani was arrested during protests in Karaj on Saturday. He was accused of waging war against God. This charge is a crime punishable by death in Iran. NUFD claimed that he was allegedly refused access to a lawyer.
Soltani's alleged execution has not yet been independently confirmed as the country's theocratic government, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is trying to suppress dissent.
Also read- If Khamenei government falls in Iran, what will be its impact on the world, read in details
Also read- How Iran controlled Starlink, shut down satellite internet in one click