Iran executes two members of opposition group for attacking infrastructure
Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani-Eslamloo, identified as "operational elements" of the MEK, were sentenced to death in September 2024 - a verdict upheld by the Supreme Court, which denied their request for a retrial, Mizan said.
"The terrorists, in coordination with MEK leaders, had [...]built launchers and hand-held mortars in line with the group's goals, fired projectiles heedlessly at citizens, homes, service and administrative facilities, educational and charity centres," the report said.
The defendants were indicted with "moharebeh", - an Islamic term meaning waging war against God - destroying public property and "membership in a terrorist organisation with the aim of disrupting national security."
Amnesty International said that Ehsani-Eslamloo and Hassani were arrested in 2022 and maintained their innocence during a trial which the rights group called "grossly unfair and marred by allegations of torture and forced confessions.'
"According to informed sources, agents interrogated them without lawyers present and subjected them to torture and other ill-treatment, including beatings and prolonged solitary confinement, to extract self-incriminating statements," it said in January.
According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the number of people executed in Iran rose to at least 901 in 2024, the highest number since 2015.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs
Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole
Life Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases
Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE
Singapore For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee
Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021
Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024
Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes
The MEK, known in English as People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, was a powerful leftist-Islamist group that staged bombing campaigns against the shah's government and U.S. targets in the 1970s but ultimately fell out with the other factions of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Since then, the MEK has opposed the Islamic Republic and its leadership in exile has been Paris-based. The group was listed as a terrorist organisation by the U.S. and the European Union until 2012. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
a day ago
- AsiaOne
Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao taken in for questioning, WSJ reports, China News
Liu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat widely seen as a potential future foreign minister, has been taken away by authorities for questioning, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday (Aug 10). Liu was taken away after returning to Beijing in late July from an overseas work trip, WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter. China's State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the Chinese government, and the Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Liu, 61, has led the Communist Party's body in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties. Since taking the role in 2022, he has travelled to more than 20 nations and met officials from more than 160 countries. Liu's busy schedule, especially his meetings with the former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, stoked expectations that the former ambassador and ministry spokesman was being groomed to be the next foreign minister. His detention marks the highest-level probe involving a diplomat since China ousted its former foreign minister and President Xi Jinping's protege, Qin Gang, in 2023 following rumours of an extramarital affair. Born in the northeastern province of Jilin, Liu majored in English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and studied international relations at Oxford before taking up his first post as a translator with the foreign ministry. He has served in China's mission to Britain and later as ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines. During his time as ministry spokesman, he was known for humorous off-the-cuff comments while making a no-nonsense defence of China's interests. [[nid:717586]]
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao taken in for questioning: Report
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Liu Jianchao, director general of the Department of International Cooperation of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the ruling Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog, attends a news conference in Beijing, China, January 15, Kyung-Hoon/File Photo BEIJING - Mr Liu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat widely seen as a potential future foreign minister, has been taken away by authorities for questioning, the Wall Street Journal reported on Aug 10. He was taken away after returning to Beijing in late July from an overseas work trip, WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter. China's State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the Chinese government, and the Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Mr Liu, 61, has led the Communist Party's body in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties. Since taking the role in 2022, he has travelled to more than 20 nations and met officials from more than 160 countries. His busy schedule, especially his meetings with the former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, stoked expectations that the former ambassador and ministry spokesman was being groomed to be the next foreign minister. His detention marks the highest-level probe involving a diplomat since China ousted its former foreign minister and President Xi Jinping's protege, Qin Gang, in 2023 following rumours of an extramarital affair. Born in the northeastern province of Jilin, Mr Liu majored in English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and studied international relations at Oxford before taking up his first post as a translator with the foreign ministry. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Four men arrested in Bukit Timah believed to be linked to housebreaking syndicates Singapore Criminal trial of Hyflux founder Olivia Lum and five others starts Aug 11 Singapore Profile of Kpod user has shifted from hardcore drug users to young people: Experts Tech Former data analyst creates AI tutor that assesses students based on Singapore schools' criteria Opinion Recognising our imperfections is part of what makes Singapore whole Opinion I used to be impatient. Then I became a granddad Business The risks of using 'decoupling' to own two properties Asia Manila struggles to keep a lasting hawker culture, casts eyes on how Asian nations lifted street food He has served in China's mission to Britain and later as ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines. During his time as ministry spokesman, he was known for humorous off-the-cuff comments while making a no-nonsense defence of China's interests. REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Petunia wins ugliest dog contest by being loved, not by looking perfect
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Petunia - a hairless English-French bulldog mix - and owner Shannon Nyman celebrating first place in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, at the Sonoma County Fair in California, on Aug 8. NEW YORK - She does not stand in triumph. She does not strut. Instead, Petunia rides in someone's arms, her small, hairless body balanced against a loop of pink leash. Fairground trophies shine behind her, but she looks away, folds of skin settling like soft hills along her neck. Petunia, a two-year-old hairless English-French bulldog mix from Eugene, Oregon, arrived at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California, on Aug 8 not as a polished show dog but as herself. The World's Ugliest Dog Contest, a decades-old tradition meant to promote the adoption of dogs and remind people that 'pedigree does not define the pet,' has never sought perfection. In this competition, the missing fur, the misaligned teeth, the eyes that wander in different directions – they are not flaws, but badges of honour. But Petunia's story began far from the fairground. In Las Vegas, she lived in the chaos of a backyard breeder and hoarder. Rescuers from Luvable Dog Rescue in Oregon brought her north, where she got the medical care she long needed: a spay, and surgery to correct an elongated palate, a painful condition that makes every breath a chore. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 4 men arrested after police search operation in forested area near Rail Corridor Singapore SAF regular serviceman dies after being found unconscious at Hendon Camp swimming pool: Mindef Singapore E-bike rider arrested for rash act causing hurt after accident with pedestrian in Toa Payoh Singapore Man arrested for allegedly stealing from business class passenger on flight to Singapore Asia Manila struggles to keep a lasting hawker culture, casts eyes on how Asian nations lifted street food Singapore Driver taken to hospital after car hits lamp post in Orchard Road Singapore Urban farming, robots, AI exhibitions: Public invited to share ideas for new Science Centre Asia 2 Malaysian tourists critically injured after being set on fire in Bangkok She healed. She learned to walk on Oregon trails and to curl into the nook of a couch. Today, Petunia is described as a 'gentle soul who adores other dogs, cats, and people.' Contest organisers said their competition celebrates the 'imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.' Petunia's imperfections will grace limited-edition cans of MUG Root Beer, a sponsor of the contest, and earned her US$5,000 (S$6,400). She will also make an appearance on NBC's Today show on Aug 11. NYTIMES
