Death Sentences Upheld for Three Iranian Protesters

The Iranian Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences of three men accused of involvement in the alleged killing of three members of the paramilitary Basij force during nationwide anti-government protests last year. 

IranWire has obtained copies of documents stating that the court confirmed the death sentences Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaqoubi and Saleh Mirhashmi and rejected other punishments, including prison sentences.

Mirhashmi had been twice sentenced to death, while Kazemi and Yaqoubi had been handed capital punishment and a 10-year prison sentence. 

The trio was arrested in connection with the death of three members of the Basij force during protests in the central city of Isfahan on November 15. 

The Dadban Legal Group, which provides legal advice to protesters in Iran, said there was no reliable evidence proving the accusations made against the defendants, and that the only document available in the case was their "forced confessions." 

The defendants were present at the scene of the protests but none of them has ever admitted shooting at Basij members, according to the group.

Iranian authorities have cracked down hard on widespread anti-government protests triggered by the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. 

More than 520 people were killed by security forces during demonstrations and over 20,000 people were unlawfully detained, activists say. Following biased trials, the judiciary has handed down stiff sentences, including the death penalty, to protesters.