Iran Executes Two Men for Killing Officers During Protests

Iran has executed two men convicted of killing four police officers during anti-government protests earlier this year, state-affiliated media reported Tuesday. The executions took place after court proceedings, according to the Mizan news agency, which is linked to the judiciary. The men were identified as Erfan Esfandiyari and Golmohammad Mohammadi. They were found guilty of attacking the officers in the central city of Isfahan in January. The attack occurred amid nationwide demonstrations that swept Iran following the death of a young woman in police custody. Human rights groups have said thousands of people, mostly protesters, were killed during the unrest. Mizan reported that the two men tied the officers to a road sign, assaulted them with stones, doused them with petrol, and set them on fire. The deaths of the officers were part of the violent clashes between security forces and protesters. Iran has faced international criticism for its handling of the protests, including the use of harsh measures against demonstrators and the imposition of death sentences. The executions are the latest in a series of state responses to the unrest, which began in September 2022 and continued into early 2023. The Iranian government has defended its actions, saying it is maintaining law and order. However, rights groups have called for an end to the use of capital punishment for crimes related to protests.