Council for a Community of Democracies

Iran Executes Two amid Continued Unrest
January 29, 2010
By: Benjamin Russell

Iran hanged two men Thursday in the first known execution there since last summer’s disputed presidential elections, which sparked widespread protests throughout Tehran.

According to the New York Times, Mohammad Reza Alizamani, 37, and Arash Rahmanipour, 19, were among 11 Iranians sentenced to death in connection with the protests on charges of crimes against god and participation in armed organizations. The cases against the other nine are currently under appeal.

The White House has condemned Iran’s actions, according to CBS news. Addressing reporters, Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said, “We see it as a low point in the Islamic Republic's unjust and ruthless crackdown of peaceful dissent. Murdering political prisoners who are exercising their universal rights will not bring the respect and legitimacy the Islamic Republic seeks.”

A lawyer for Rahmanipour called the verdict “illegal and unjust” as observers raised the possibility of political motivation behind the timing and manner of the executions.
“The government is trying to prevent the expansion of the current (opposition) movement through the spread of fear and intimidation," lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh said.

The executions come ahead of what many believe to be potential “flashpoints” for more clashes between protestors and government forces, among them the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on Feb. 11th and an upcoming funeral ceremony for reformist cleric Hussein Ali Montazeri, who died late last year.

Tensions in Iran have been high since last June, when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defeated opposition figure Mir Hossein Moussavi in the country’s presidential elections. News of the election results were followed by large rallies and “plunged Iran into its deepest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic Revolution,” according to the Washington Post. Claims that the results were rigged in favor of Ahmadinejad were denied by Iranian authorities

Sources:

New York Times – Iran’s Opposition Extends Olive Branch, Unrequited

Washington Post – Iran Hangs Two in Wake of Election Unrest

CBS News – White House Condemns Iran Executions