France “Utterly Condemns” Protester’s Execution in Iran

France “utterly condemns” this week’s execution of a young Iranian man who was sentenced to death following his participation in protests against Iran’s clerical establishment, the French Foreign Ministry says.

The January 23 execution of Mohammad Ghobadlou, 23, “adds to the many other serious and unacceptable violations of fundamental rights and freedoms committed by the Iranian authorities,” the ministry said in a statement.

Ghobadlou was sentenced to death for allegedly killing a police officer during nationwide protests in September 2022. 

The defendant faced an unfair trial marred by torture allegations, and appeals to take into account his mental health condition were rejected. 

His execution was the ninth in connection with the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement.

“The execution of demonstrators cannot serve as a response to the Iranian people’s legitimate aspirations to freedom,” the French Foreign Ministry said.

The statement reiterated France’s “steadfast opposition to the death penalty, everywhere and in all circumstances, and its commitment to the universal abolition of this unjust and inhumane punishment.”