Latest news with #MehdiHassani
Scottish Sun
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Iran's bloodthirsty regime goes on sick execution spree with 22 killed in 3 DAYS behind ‘smoke screen' of US nuke talks
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IRAN'S iron-fist regime has gone on an execution spree while the eyes of the world are on its nuclear talks with the US, insiders say. At least 22 prisoners were killed last week in less than four days as the execution rate surges "dramatically" - with even more now at risk. 7 Five people hang from the nooses after they were executed in Iran in 2007 Credit: AFP 7 Mehdi Hassani has been sentenced to death Credit: NCRI 7 Behrouz Ehsani, 69, was tortured following his arrest in December 2022 Credit: NCRI Among them are Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani whose lives are in "grave danger" after their appeals for retrial were rejected by Iran's merciless commanders. Sources say the worrying rise in executions is a "clear example of how repression at home escalates while more focus is placed on nuclear negotiation". Furious Donald Trump has vowed "there will be bombing" if Tehran fails to thrash out a nuclear deal in the coming weeks. Attention has pivoted to these talks and away from Iran's shocking treatment of its people, campaigners say. Between April 21 and 24, 22 prisoners were executed in Iran - marking a sharp rise in a toll that has increased since President Masoud Pezeshkian took office last July. On Monday, a further seven were executed and on Wednesday another four at Ghezel Hesar Prison. Almost 1,100 state executions have taken place Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's stooge came to power. According to figures from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), that marks more than a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023, when the regime executed 853 Iranians. Hossein Abedini, deputy director of the UK's NCRI offices, told The Sun "Although Pezeshkian was described as a more 'moderate' president, the number of executions during his tenure has risen, particularly targeting individuals arrested for drug-related offenses, dissent, and participation in the 2022 protests. "This increase includes a troubling rise in the execution of women and minors at the time of their alleged crimes. Two Iran prisoners set to be latest executed by barbaric regime hellbent on crushing dissent "Such levels of cruelty and brutality highlight the deadly stalemate faced by the ruling religious regime in Iran. "Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is desperately attempting to thwart a nationwide uprising and the impending overthrow of his regime through executions and other repressive measures." The Sun previously told how Iran had accelerated its execution rate in an inhumane act of intimidation as the regime fears being overthrown. Insiders said paranoid rules were hellbent on stamping out repression on home turf after being left red-faced by the downfall of Syria's dictatorship as well as severe defeats of its terror proxies. But now sources say Tehran is using talk of a nuclear deal being struck - and the consequences if not - as a cloak to hide its spiralling execution rate. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the NCRI, said: "After suffering significant setbacks in the region and confronting the escalating threat of an uprising and overthrow, the regime has brutally intensified executions and massacres. "Issuing death sentences to political prisoners arrested during or after the uprising is yet another attempt to intimidate the outraged populace and further demonstrates the regime's fear of an uprising. "The clerical regime has consistently attempted to use external crises to divert attention from its primary issue: its oppression of the domestic population. Iran's nuclear deal with Trump DONALD Trump has warned Iran "there will be bombing The US president previously pulled the US out of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers in 2018, enraging Tehran by reinstating economic sanctions. Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz said Trump wants "full dismantlement" of Iran's nuclear programme. He added: "That's enrichment, that is weaponisation, and that is its strategic missile programme." Iran claims its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only - but the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says evidence proves otherwise. By March 2025, the IAEA said Iran had about 275kg of uranium which it had enriched to 60 per cent purity - technically enough to make around six weapons if Iran further enriches uranium. Iran wants sanction relief in return for limiting - but not dismantling - its nuke scheme. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the only acceptable deal would involve Iran agreeing to eliminate its nuclear programme. "The recent rise in executions is a clear example of how repression at home escalates while more focus is placed on nuclear negotiations." It comes as more prisoners face being sent to the gallows after being handed death sentences. Dad Mehdi Hassani, 48, and Behrouz Ehsani, 69, are at imminent risk of execution after their appeals were dismissed. Both were given sentences on what campaigners say are trumped-up charges and have faced horror conditions in jail - including torture. A haunting voice message from Hassani was shared by The Sun last month as he unleashed a blistering put down of Iran's 'cruelty and oppression'. Hassani was arrested in September and suffered physical and mental torture after being transferred to Evin Prison. His charges for which he has been sentenced to death include "rebellion, war, and corruption on earth, membership in the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran and collecting classified information". 7 7 Four Iranian convicts hanging after a public execution in 2008 Credit: AFP Hassani heartbroken daughter Maryam blasted Iran's regime for again rejecting her dad's appeal as she told of her family's unbearable pain. She said: "Hearing that my father's appeal was rejected broke our hearts. "My family and I are under terrible stress and fear every day. We live with constant worry, knowing that at any moment, my father's life could be taken away unfairly. "He has done nothing wrong — he only spoke up for freedom and justice. "The pressure on us is huge. We are scared, exhausted, and deeply hurt. "No family should have to go through this pain just for standing up for basic human rights." She has called on the international community to do more to halt Iran's callous regime. Maryam said: "I urgently ask all international organisations, human rights defenders, and world leaders: Please do not stay silent. "Please do not let innocent people lose their lives. "Political prisoners are not criminals. The death penalty is cruel and inhuman. It must end. "I have tried so hard to reach out to international bodies, to members of parliaments, and to human rights advocates like Ms. Mai sato and Mr. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Today, I am asking them — and all of you — once again: We need real action, not just words. "We need your help now, to stop the executions and save lives — not just my father's life, but the lives of many political prisoners in Iran. "Silence allows injustice to continue. Your action can make a real difference." 7 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Credit: AP:Associated Press
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Iran's bloodthirsty regime goes on sick execution spree with 22 killed in 3 DAYS behind ‘smoke screen' of US nuke talks
IRAN'S iron-fist regime has gone on an execution spree while the eyes of the world are on its nuclear talks with the US, insiders say. At least 22 prisoners were killed last week in less than four days as the execution rate surges "dramatically" - with even more now at risk. 7 Five people hang from the nooses after they were executed in Iran in 2007 Credit: AFP 7 Mehdi Hassani has been sentenced to death Credit: NCRI 7 Behrouz Ehsani, 69, was tortured following his arrest in December 2022 Credit: NCRI Among them are Sources say the worrying rise in executions is a "clear example of how repression at home escalates while more focus is placed on Furious Donald Trump has vowed "there will be bombing" if Attention has pivoted to these talks and away from Iran's shocking treatment of its people, campaigners say. Read more on Iran Between April 21 and 24, 22 prisoners were executed in Iran - marking a sharp rise in a toll that has increased since President Masoud Pezeshkian took office last July. On Monday, a further seven were executed and on Wednesday another four at Ghezel Hesar Prison. Almost 1,100 state executions have taken place Supreme Leader According to figures from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), that marks more than a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023, when the regime executed 853 Iranians. Most read in The Sun Hossein Abedini, deputy director of the UK's NCRI offices, told The Sun "Although Pezeshkian was described as a more 'moderate' president, the number of executions during his tenure has risen, particularly targeting individuals arrested for drug-related offenses, dissent, and participation in the 2022 protests. "This increase includes a troubling rise in the execution of women and minors at the time of their alleged crimes. Two Iran prisoners set to be latest executed by barbaric regime hellbent on crushing dissent "Such levels of cruelty and brutality highlight the deadly stalemate faced by the ruling religious regime in Iran. "Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is desperately attempting to thwart a nationwide uprising and the impending overthrow of his regime through executions and other repressive measures." The Sun previously told how Iran had accelerated its execution rate in an inhumane act of intimidation as the regime fears being overthrown. Insiders said paranoid rules were hellbent on stamping out repression on home turf after being left red-faced by the downfall of Syria 's dictatorship as well as . But now sources say Tehran is using talk of a nuclear deal being struck - and the consequences if not - as a cloak to hide its spiralling execution rate. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the NCRI, said: "After suffering significant setbacks in the region and confronting the escalating threat of an uprising and overthrow, the regime has brutally intensified executions and massacres. "Issuing death sentences to political prisoners arrested during or after the uprising is yet another attempt to intimidate the outraged populace and further demonstrates the regime's fear of an uprising. "The clerical regime has consistently attempted to use external crises to divert attention from its primary issue: its oppression of the domestic population. Iran's nuclear deal with Trump DONALD Trump has warned Iran "there will be bombing The US president previously pulled the US out of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers in 2018, enraging Tehran by reinstating economic sanctions. Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz said Trump wants "full dismantlement" of Iran's nuclear programme. He added: "That's enrichment, that is weaponisation, and that is its strategic missile programme." Iran claims its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only - but the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says evidence proves otherwise. By March 2025, the IAEA said Iran had about 275kg of uranium which it had enriched to 60 per cent purity - technically enough to make around six weapons if Iran further enriches uranium. Iran wants sanction relief in return for limiting - but not dismantling - its nuke scheme. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the only acceptable deal would involve Iran agreeing to eliminate its nuclear programme. "The recent rise in executions is a clear example of how repression at home escalates while more focus is placed on nuclear negotiations." It comes as more prisoners face being sent to the gallows after being handed death sentences. Dad Mehdi Hassani, 48, and Behrouz Ehsani, 69, are at imminent risk of execution after their appeals were dismissed. Both were given sentences on what campaigners say are trumped-up charges and have faced horror conditions in jail - including torture. A Hassani was arrested in September and suffered physical and mental torture after being transferred to Evin Prison. His charges for which he has been sentenced to death include "rebellion, war, and corruption on earth, membership in the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran and collecting classified information". 7 7 Four Iranian convicts hanging after a public execution in 2008 Credit: AFP Hassani heartbroken daughter Maryam blasted Iran's regime for again rejecting her dad's appeal as she told of her family's unbearable pain. She said: "Hearing that my father's appeal was rejected broke our hearts. "My family and I are under terrible stress and fear every day. We live with constant worry, knowing that at any moment, my father's life could be taken away unfairly. "He has done nothing wrong — he only spoke up for freedom and justice. "The pressure on us is huge. We are scared, exhausted, and deeply hurt. "No family should have to go through this pain just for standing up for basic human rights." She has called on the international community to do more to halt Iran's callous regime. Maryam said: "I urgently ask all international organisations, human rights defenders, and world leaders: Please do not stay silent. "Please do not let innocent people lose their lives. "Political prisoners are not criminals. The death penalty is cruel and inhuman. It must end. "I have tried so hard to reach out to international bodies, to members of parliaments, and to human rights advocates like Ms. Mai sato and Mr. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Today, I am asking them — and all of you — once again: We need real action, not just words. "We need your help now, to stop the executions and save lives — not just my father's life, but the lives of many political prisoners in Iran. "Silence allows injustice to continue. Your action can make a real difference." 7 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Credit: AP:Associated Press 7 Donald Trump is pushing Iran to sign a nuclear deal Credit: AFP
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Iran's bloodthirsty regime goes on sick execution spree with 22 killed in 3 DAYS behind ‘smoke screen' of US nuke talks
IRAN'S iron-fist regime has gone on an execution spree while the eyes of the world are on its nuclear talks with the US, insiders say. At least 22 prisoners were killed last week in less than four days as the execution rate surges "dramatically" - with even more now at risk. 6 6 6 Among them are Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani whose lives are in "grave danger" after their appeals for retrial were rejected by Iran 's merciless commanders. Sources say the worrying rise in executions is a "clear example of how repression at home escalates while more focus is placed on nuclear negotiation". Furious Donald Trump has vowed "there will be bombing" if Tehran fails to thrash out a nuclear deal in the coming weeks. Attention has pivoted to these talks and away from Iran's shocking treatment of its people, campaigners say. Between April 21 and 24, 22 prisoners were executed in Iran - marking a sharp rise in a toll that has increased since President Masoud Pezeshkian took office last July. On Monday, a further seven were executed and on Wednesday another four at Ghezel Hesar Prison. Almost 1,100 state executions have taken place Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei 's stooge came to power. According to figures from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), that marks more than a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023, when the regime executed 853 Iranians. Hossein Abedini, deputy director of the UK's NCRI offices, told The Sun "Although Pezeshkian was described as a more 'moderate' president, the number of executions during his tenure has risen, particularly targeting individuals arrested for drug-related offenses, dissent, and participation in the 2022 protests. "This increase includes a troubling rise in the execution of women and minors at the time of their alleged crimes. "Such levels of cruelty and brutality highlight the deadly stalemate faced by the ruling religious regime in Iran. "Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is desperately attempting to thwart a nationwide uprising and the impending overthrow of his regime through executions and other repressive measures." The Sun previously told how Iran had accelerated its execution rate in an inhumane act of intimidation as the regime fears being overthrown. Insiders said paranoid rules were hellbent on stamping out repression on home turf after being left red-faced by the downfall of Syria 's dictatorship as well as severe defeats of its terror proxies. But now sources say Tehran is using talk of a nuclear deal being struck - and the consequences if not - as a cloak to hide its spiralling execution rate. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the NCRI, said: "After suffering significant setbacks in the region and confronting the escalating threat of an uprising and overthrow, the regime has brutally intensified executions and massacres. "Issuing death sentences to political prisoners arrested during or after the uprising is yet another attempt to intimidate the outraged populace and further demonstrates the regime's fear of an uprising. "The clerical regime has consistently attempted to use external crises to divert attention from its primary issue: its oppression of the domestic population. Iran's nuclear deal with Trump DONALD Trump has warned Iran "there will be bombing The US president previously pulled the US out of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers in 2018, enraging Tehran by reinstating economic sanctions. Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz said Trump wants "full dismantlement" of Iran's nuclear programme. He added: "That's enrichment, that is weaponisation, and that is its strategic missile programme." Iran claims its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only - but the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says evidence proves otherwise. By March 2025, the IAEA said Iran had about 275kg of uranium which it had enriched to 60 per cent purity - technically enough to make around six weapons if Iran further enriches uranium. Iran wants sanction relief in return for limiting - but not dismantling - its nuke scheme. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the only acceptable deal would involve Iran agreeing to eliminate its nuclear programme. "The recent rise in executions is a clear example of how repression at home escalates while more focus is placed on nuclear negotiations." It comes as more prisoners face being sent to the gallows after being handed death sentences. Dad Mehdi Hassani, 48, and Behrouz Ehsani, 69, are at imminent risk of execution after their appeals were dismissed. Both were given sentences on what campaigners say are trumped-up charges and have faced horror conditions in jail - including torture. A haunting voice message from Hassani was shared by The Sun last month as he unleashed a blistering put down of Iran's 'cruelty and oppression'. Hassani was arrested in September and suffered physical and mental torture after being transferred to Evin Prison. His charges for which he has been sentenced to death include "rebellion, war, and corruption on earth, membership in the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran and collecting classified information". 6 Hassani heartbroken daughter Maryam blasted Iran's regime for again rejecting her dad's appeal as she told of her family's unbearable pain. She said: "Hearing that my father's appeal was rejected broke our hearts. "My family and I are under terrible stress and fear every day. We live with constant worry, knowing that at any moment, my father's life could be taken away unfairly. "He has done nothing wrong — he only spoke up for freedom and justice. "The pressure on us is huge. We are scared, exhausted, and deeply hurt. "No family should have to go through this pain just for standing up for basic human rights." She has called on the international community to do more to halt Iran's callous regime. Maryam said: "I urgently ask all international organisations, human rights defenders, and world leaders: Please do not stay silent. "Please do not let innocent people lose their lives. "Political prisoners are not criminals. The death penalty is cruel and inhuman. It must end. "I have tried so hard to reach out to international bodies, to members of parliaments, and to human rights advocates like Ms. Mai sato and Mr. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Today, I am asking them — and all of you — once again: We need real action, not just words. "We need your help now, to stop the executions and save lives — not just my father's life, but the lives of many political prisoners in Iran. "Silence allows injustice to continue. Your action can make a real difference." 6 6
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two Iranian dissidents at 'imminent risk' of execution: activists
Two Iranian men convicted of membership of the People's Mujahedin opposition group, outlawed by the Islamic republic, are at imminent risk of execution after being transferred to a different prison, the organisation and activists said on Monday. The men, Behrouz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, 48, a father of three, were moved without prior notice on Sunday from Evin prison in Tehran to Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj outside the capital, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the political wing of the People's Mujahedin, said in a statement. Inmates have in recent times rarely been executed inside Evin, but Ghezel Hesar has in recent years become notorious as a place of execution. The two men were convicted in September last year, in sentences upheld in January, of the capital crimes of "rebellion" and "corruption on earth" for membership of the People's Mujahedin, collecting classified information and conspiring against national security. Rights groups have also highlighted the case, with Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) saying that after the transfer they were at risk of "imminent" execution and calling for an "urgent response from the international community to save their lives". Amnesty International has said they were subjected to "torture and other ill-treatment" in jail and their trial by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran was "grossly unfair". The hasty prison transfer raised fears "their executions could be implemented at any time," Amnesty said on Monday. Rights groups are alarmed at a spike in executions in Iran they say is aimed at instilling fear throughout society, with the United Nations saying at least 901 people were executed in 2024 and at least 73 people executed so far in 2025, according to the IHR. The People's Mujahedin (PMOI, also known by the Persian acronym MEK), initially supported the 1979 revolution that toppled the shah but rapidly fell out with the new leaders under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Blamed for a string of attacks against officials in the early 1980s, it went underground inside Iran and thousands of its members were executed in 1988 mass hangings of prisoners. The concern over the risk the two men could be executed comes after two senior Iranian judges, Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghisseh, were shot dead on January 18 in Tehran by an assailant who later killed himself, according to the judiciary's Mizan Online website. The NCRI has accused both men of being implicated in the 1988 prison massacres when they were senior prosecutors. But the group has not commented on their killing. Meanwhile, six other men convicted of PMOI membership are also a risk of execution after being sentenced to death in an initial verdict in November, according to the group and Amnesty. sjw/ah/ser
