Iran Carries Out Execution Linked to 2022 Protest Incident

Mojahed Kourkouri, convicted in relation to the 2022 anti-government protests, has been executed in Iran, amid widespread condemnation from human rights groups. The trial has been criticized for alleged torture and lack of legal representation.

Iran has executed Mojahed Kourkouri, a man convicted in connection with the nationwide anti-government protests that erupted in 2022, according to the country’s judiciary. Kourkouri's execution has drawn significant backlash from various human rights organizations who have highlighted serious concerns regarding the fairness of his trial and the circumstances surrounding it.

Kourkouri, also known as Abbas Kourkouri, was sentenced to death following allegations of engaging in armed attacks and his association with a so-called "rebellion group." Reports indicate that he was accused of killing seven individuals amid the protests, including nine-year-old Kian Pirfalak, whose death is complex and contentious. While Kian's family asserts that he was killed by security forces, the Iranian authorities have claimed instead that a "rioter" was responsible for the child's death.

Human rights advocates, notably Amnesty International, have claimed that Kourkouri was subjected to torture, denied access to a lawyer of his choice, and that his trial was fundamentally flawed. The judiciary announced that Kourkouri was the 11th person executed in relation to the protests that were initially sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died while in custody for allegedly violating hijab regulations.

During the protests in the city of Izeh, Kourkouri was accused of firing upon a vehicle containing Kian and his family. Following his arrest, Kourkouri was injured and later detained, prompting significant international outcry regarding his treatment while in custody. Kian's family has maintain their belief that Kourkouri was not responsible for their child's death, stating that he was wrongly accused.

On social media, Kian's mother appeared to suggest that security personnel were responsible for her son’s death, but later seemingly recanted those statements during a state television interview. This discrepancy has prompted concerns regarding potential coercion.

The announcement of Kourkouri's execution has intensified calls for accountability, with human rights organizations condemning Iran's actions and urging the international community to respond. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam from the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group emphasized the necessity for accountability for the leaders of Iran, reflecting a deepening distress over ongoing human rights violations and the increasing number of executions in Iran.

As of 2023, reports indicate that at least 582 individuals, including political and religious prisoners, have been executed in the Islamic Republic, with continued calls for efforts to address these rampant violations of justice and human rights.