Current Event #2: Iran Executes Two Protestors

Click here to read the BBC News Article "Iran 'executes two over post-election unrest", published on January 28th. The article discuss how two men involved in the Ashura day demonstrations in Iran were convicted of being Moharebeh, or enemies of god, and executed. So far, no independent news agencies have confirmed the executions, as all of the information has come from the Iranian Student News Agency. ISNA reports that Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were the two men executed, and also reports that nine other individuals were given death sentences for their part in the Ashura demonstrations, to be carried out as soon as appeals are finished. Ali-Zamani was accused of working with the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, a banned polital group who wants to reinstate the former Iranian Ruling Family as the leaders of Iran. The KAI denied that Ali-Zamani had any role in the election demonstrations, and only passed on news to radio stations. Human rights activists also believe that, according to Ali-Zamani's indictment, he was arrested before he engaged in any actions relating to the elections. The other man, Arash Rahmipour, was also accused of working with the KAI, but according to Rahmipour's lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, he was arrested before the elections had even taken place, adding that he only confessed "because of threats to his family".
This article is significant because it discusses the Iranian Government's legitimacy, as wll as the rights they give their citizens. If the two men were arrested before the had engaged in any illicit activity, then the government of Iran is committing a human rights abuse. Iranian protesters are often killed during their demonstrations, which compared to our First Ammendment, is a violation of basic human rights as well.

Image taken from BBC News.

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