Iran Broadcasts “Confession” Of Executed Protester Rahnavard

Iranian state media broadcast on December 13 the alleged “confession” of Majidreza Rahnavard, a 23-year-old man executed earlier this week.

Iranian authorities routinely extract confessions from political prisoners by force, which are then broadcast for propaganda purposes.

Rahnavard was hanged in public on December 12 after being sentenced to death for allegedly killing two Basij members during anti-government protests in the northeastern city of Mashad.

It was the second reported execution linked to ongoing nationwide protests in less than a week.

In his so-called confession, Rahnavard spoke against Ali Karimi, a former member of the Iranian national football team and a well-known critic of the clerical regime, and other prominent figures who have voiced support for the protester movement.

The “confession” of Mohsen Shekari was also broadcast after his execution last week.