Tehran Protesters Go on Trial Over Basiji’s Death

Eight protesters from Tehran’s Ekbatan Town went on trial before the Revolutionary Court on February 20 in connection with the death of a member of the paramilitary Basij force.

The defendants face charges of "waging war against God," "collusion," "insulting the leadership," "propaganda" and "membership in an anti-Islamic Republic group."

Lawyer Payam Derfashan said the case has "fundamental flaws" and that torture was used to extract confessions from the accused.

The eight defendants are among more than 50 young residents of Ekbatan Town who were arrested in November 2022 following the death of a Basiji during nationwide protests.