The trial of five people, accused of crimes punishable by capital punishment, linked to the demonstrations which have shaken Iran for six weeks, opened on Saturday in Tehran, announced the agency of the Judiciary Authority.
“The first hearing of a number of defendants from the recent riots opened in the morning in the Tehran Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Abolghassem Salavati,” the agency, Mizan Online, said on Saturday.
Dozens of people killed
Iran has been the scene of protests – described as riots by the authorities – since the death on September 16 of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who died three days after her arrest in Tehran by the morality police. The latter accused her of having violated the strict dress code of the country, imposing in particular the wearing of the veil in public.
Dozens of people, mostly protesters but also members of the security forces, have been killed during the demonstrations. Hundreds more, including women, have been arrested.
“Corruption on earth” and “enemy of God”
On Wednesday, justice announced that it had charged in many provinces of the country, more than a thousand individuals linked to the demonstrations. According to Mizan Online, Mohammad Ghobadlou is being prosecuted for “corruption on earth”, a charge punishable by death, for having “attacked police officers with a car, which resulted in the death of an officer and injuries to five others “.
Justice charged Saïd Shirazi with the same count, for “having incited the people to commit crimes against security”, according to Mizan Online. Saman Seyedi, Mohammad Boroghani and Mohsen Rezazadeh were charged with moharebeh (“enemy of God” in Persian), an offense also punishable by capital punishment, added the same source.