Latest news with #IHR
Time Magazine
a day ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
Iran Carries Out String of Executions and Arrests
Iran has executed three men convicted of spying for Israel and detained hundreds more civilians in a widening crackdown that rights groups say reflects growing paranoia within the Islamic Republic's leadership following a deadly exchange of strikes with Israel. The executions, carried out by hanging in the northwestern city of Urmia, targeted Edris Ali, Azad Shojaei, and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul—ethnic Kurds accused of aiding the Israeli Mossad in the 2020 assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a prominent nuclear scientist. Their names had previously appeared on a list published by Iran Human Rights (IHR), an Oslo-based advocacy group, which warned that at least ten men faced imminent execution on similar charges. The timing of the executions appears intended less to inflame anti-Israel sentiment than to project strength internally, a source familiar with the matter told TIME, describing it as a signal of resolve by a government increasingly consumed with fears of infiltration. The recent crackdown has also renewed international concern over the fate of Ahmadreza Djalali, a Swedish-Iranian doctor and academic who has spent more than seven years on death row. IHR reported this week that Djalali was moved from Tehran's Evin Prison to an undisclosed location shortly after an Israeli strike on the facility. 'There is an imminent risk that his death sentence will be carried out at any moment,' the group warned. Since the outbreak of open hostilities with Israel on June 13, Iranian authorities have arrested more than 700 people on charges related to alleged collaboration with Israel, according to rights monitors. This week's executions bring to six the number of Iranians put to death for espionage since the start of the conflict. Though Iran's government has presented these arrests and executions as evidence of a crackdown on foreign meddling, public sentiment appears to be shifting in a more complex direction. A source in Iran, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TIME that for the first time in decades, 'widespread hatred' toward Israel is growing among ordinary Iranians—fueled not by government propaganda, but by firsthand experience of violence. 'Israel was very willing to kill six Iranian civilians for their [military] target, and that's something which has really made a lot of Iranians angry,' the source said. 'Iranians feel very critical of their own government because it wasn't able to defend them… and at the same time, they're extremely resentful, verging on hatred, toward the Israeli government because of all the civilian deaths.' The Iranian government has become increasingly paranoid about intelligence leaks since its almost two-week long conflict with Israel, which began with Israeli attacks on key military and nuclear targets on June 13. The first strikes resulted in the deaths of multiple highly ranked military officials and top scientists working on Tehran's nuclear program. Israel has previously conducted covert operations and targeted strikes within Iran's borders, including the high-profile assassination of Hamas political leader Ismael Haniyeh in 2024. However, the scale and visibility of the latest campaign have been unprecedented. During nearly two weeks of conflict, Israeli missile strikes killed at least 974 Iranians—including 387 civilians and 268 military personnel—according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Israel reported 28 deaths from Iranian missile retaliation. Though a cease-fire is now in place, the fallout from the confrontation continues to unfold. Iranian authorities remain focused on rooting out suspected espionage networks, while the public contends with a shifting landscape of fear, anger, and mistrust—directed both at their own government and at Israel.
DW
a day ago
- Politics
- DW
Iran regime intensifies crackdown amid Israel ceasefire – DW – 06/27/2025
Iran's regime has executed several people, and arrested hundreds, while seeking to keep domestic opposition in check as its power projection abroad has been weakened following war with Israel. In Tehran's notorious Evin prison, the Iranian regime locks up its opponents, human rights activists, and political dissidents. Iranian rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has spent years behind bars, including multiple stints in Evin prison, for her work calling attention to rights abuses in the Islamic Republic. On Thursday, Mohammadi posted on X that she had received a report from a prison inmate about the high-security ward of the prison being mysteriously emptied out directly following Israeli bombardment. Evin prison's "Ward 209" is where inmates are held in solitary confinement and interrogations are known to take place under gruesome conditions. Mohammadi posted that a witness saw men and women being escorted from the ward in grey uniforms, loaded into vehicles, and taken to an unknown location with no information as to their whereabouts or condition. Prisoners from other sections were also said to have been moved in a similar manner. There is concern that inmates held in secret locations could be mistreated or even killed without anyone knowing. Three Iranians have already been executed this week. At least two of them had earned their living as smugglers in the Iran-Iraq border region. A court justified the execution by saying that the three men had spied for Israel. Dieter Karg, an Iran expert at Amnesty International, said the arrests and execution on "spying" accusations, is a sign that the Iranian government is trying to stifle the opposition in the turbulent period following confrontation with Israel. "The regime is signaling that it is now taking action with full force," Karg told DW, adding that the regime is moving beyond trying to punish ostensible connections with Israel. "Rather, it is now also a matter of accusing people who were originally imprisoned for non-political offenses of having political motives," Karg said. "In fact, the men who were executed were trying to do nothing more than earn a living by smuggling, and this circumstance is now being exploited for political purposes," he added. According to the human rights organization Iran Human Rights (IHR), nine people have already been executed since Israel launched attacks on June 13. According to IHR, a total of 594 people have already been executed in Iran this year. In this respect, the recent executions do not come as a surprise, political scientist Diba Mirzaei, who researches Iran at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies, told DW. For years, the regime has responded to perceived threats with increasingly brutal and inhumane measures. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "The regime's message behind such actions is unmistakable. In essence, it says you are either with us or against us. And if you are against us, we will deal with you as we see fit. And no one can do anything about it," she said. "The allegations that there were spies for Israel cannot be dismissed as irrelevant or false. Without collaborators, Israel would not have been able to carry out attacks from within Iran itself," Mirzaei said. She added that potential spies could come from both the Iranian population and the ranks of the regime itself. "And that is, of course, particularly worrying for the leadership." Iran's Deputy Minister of Defense from 1997 to 2002, Alireza Akbari, was perhaps the most famous case of a suspected spy coming from within the Iranian government ranks. In 2019, he was arrested on charges of spying for the British intelligence agency MI6. Akbari denied the charges. He was executed in 2023. The regime, from its own perspective, has no choice but to take action against suspected spies, said Mirzaei. "Because if they were not severely punished, according to the regime's logic, other people might also decide to work as spies," she added. Of course, defendants should receive appropriate legal defense, Mirzaei said. "But that's not the regime's logic. So, there's no other option for them to resort to these very brutal measures." The Islamic Consultative Assembly — the Iranian equivalent of a parliament in Western systems of government — recently passed a law that increases penalties for "collaborators." According to the new legislation, espionage or collaboration with hostile governments, including the United States, constitutes the crime of so-called "corruption on earth" and is punishable by death. Since the beginning of the Israeli attack on Iran, the Islamic Republic has begun large-scale arrests under pretexts such as publishing pro-Israel news, contacts with foreign media, and cooperation with or spying for Israel, IHR reports. According to the report, 900 people have already been arrested. "The majority of those detained are people whose mobile devices were searched during checks that allegedly revealed content such as footage of Israeli military actions," according to the IHR report. According to Iran expert Karg from Amnesty, the Iranian regime has lost much of its power basis, as its proxy militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah have been drastically weakened, or have fallen from power, like the government of Bashar Assad in Syria. "Now, it is at least trying to maintain its base in its own country by taking tough action," Karg said. Amnesty's access to information within Iran is currently made difficult by an internet blackout. "In this respect, we cannot say exactly what this process [foreign collaboration law] means for political prisoners, some of whom have already been in prison for many years. However, we fear that the number of death sentences and executions will increase," Karg said. This could also apply to the Iranian-Swedish doctor Ahmadreza Djalali, among others. He was arrested in 2016 and subsequently sentenced to death for allegedly spying for Israel. Political scientist Mirzaei also fears more executions and even harder punishments for political prisoners in the near future. "In the past, the Iranian people hoped the West would do something for them. Now they are convinced of the opposite," she said, adding this makes helping political prisoners even more difficult. "The only thing we can and must do is keep track of the number of executed people and political prisoners, of torture and severe abuses. Everything else can only come from the Iranian people themselves," she said. Karg takes a similar view. Economic pressure, as well as negotiations on sanctions, could help influence the regime on human rights issues. "Otherwise, we at Amnesty International rely on the power of appeals. This has been partially successful," he said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This article was translated from German
Int'l Business Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Iran Hangs Three More Accused Of Spying As Fears Grow For Swede
Iran on Wednesday hanged three men convicted of spying for Israel after what activists decried as an unfair trial, bringing to six the number of people executed on such charges since the start of the war between the Islamic republic and Israel. The hangings have also amplified fears for the life of Swedish-Iranian dual national Ahmadreza Djalali who has been on death row for seven-and-a-half years after being convicted of spying for Israel which his family vehemently denies. The executions also bring to nine the number of people executed by Iran on espionage charges since the start of 2025, with activists accusing the Islamic republic of using capital punishment as a means to instil fear in society. Idris Ali, Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul and Azad Shojai were executed earlier Wednesday in the northwestern city of Urmia, the judiciary said, the day after a truce between the Islamic republic and Israel came into effect. They had "attempted to import equipment into the country to carry out assassinations," it added. Iran had executed three other men accused of spying for Israel since the start of the conflict on June 13, in separate hangings on June 16, June 22 and June 23. "The Islamic Republic sentenced Idris Ali, Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul, and Azad Shojai to death without a fair trial and based on confessions obtained under torture, accusing them of espionage," Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), told AFP. He said Ali and Shojai were two border porters -- known locally as kolbar -- who carry goods over the border. "They were arrested on charges of smuggling alcoholic beverages but were forced to confess to espionage for Israel," he said. Ali and Shojai were members of Iran's Kurdish minority while Rasoul, while also Kurdish, was an Iraqi national. He warned that in the coming weeks the lives of "hundreds" more prisoners sentenced to death were at risk. "After the ceasefire with Israel, the Islamic republic needs more repression to cover up military failures, prevent protests, and ensure its continued survival." Djalali was arrested in 2016 and sentenced to death in October 2017 on charges of spying following what Amnesty International has termed "a grossly unfair trial" based on "'forced confessions' made under torture and other ill-treatment." Long held in Tehran's Evin prison, which was hit by an Israeli strike on Monday before the truce, he has now been transferred to an unknown location, raising fears that his execution could be imminent, his family and government said. "He called me and said, 'They're going to transfer me.' I asked where, and he said, 'I don't know,'" his wife Vida Mehrannia told AFP. "Is it because they want to carry out the sentence? Or for some other reason? I don't know," she said, adding that she was "very worried" following the latest executions. The Swedish foreign ministry said it had received information that he has been moved to an "unknown location" and warned there would be "serious consequences" for Sweden's relationship with Iran were he to be executed. Amnesty International said Tuesday it was "gravely concerned" that he "is at imminent risk of execution". Rights groups say defendants in espionage cases are often convicted under vaguely-worded charges which are capital crimes under Iran's sharia law including "enmity against god" and "corruption on earth". Analysts say that Israel's intelligence service Mossad has deeply penetrated Iran, as shown by its ability to locate and kill key members of the Iranian security forces in the conflict. But rights groups say that those executed are used as scapegoats to make up for Iran's failure to catch the actual spies. Iran's judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei had ordered swift trials against people suspected of collaborating with Israel with rights groups saying dozens of people have been arrested since the conflict started. "A rush to execute people after torture-tainted 'confessions' and grossly unfair trials would be a horrifying abuse of power and a blatant assault on the right to life," said Hussein Baoumi, deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International. According to IHR, Iran has executed 594 people on all charges this year alone. Iran executes more people every year than any nation other than China. The life of Ahmadreza Djalali is at imminent risk, he wife said AFP
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister reaffirms commitment to IHR framework
ISLAMABAD: State Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Monday, stressing the need for provision of clean water for a healthier future generation has reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan's commitment to the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework. While inaugurating the first national health preparedness and resilience conference on diarrhoeal diseases organised by the National Institute of Health (NIH), he cited that recently the government along with other stakeholders concluded Joint External Evaluation (JEE 2023), which called for urgent strengthening of core health capacities under the National Action Plan for Health Security (2024–2028). The two-day conference brought together senior representatives from federal and provincial health departments, leading development partners including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), World Health Organization (WHO), DAI, and JHEPIGO, alongside national and international public health experts. The event aims to tackle the persistent burden of diarrhoeal diseases and to strengthen Pakistan's health security and resilience against infectious disease threats. Dr Bharath said that the diarrhoeal diseases continue to be a leading cause of illness and death among children under five in Pakistan, adding that these are largely preventable conditions, yet their prevalence reflects the enduring gaps in access to clean drinking water, sanitation, and equitable healthcare services. He outlined key government priorities in addressing this health burden, including strengthening nationwide disease surveillance systems in coordination with provinces and development partners, Expanding Rotavirus and oral cholera vaccine coverage under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Promoting WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices at the household level and enhancing collaboration across health, education, and water sectors to tackle underlying drivers of diarrhoeal disease. As Pakistan's IHR focal point, the NIH was commended for its pivotal role in expanding laboratory networks, integrating surveillance systems, and building frontline public health capacity. The minister also emphasised the need for increased domestic health financing and urged development partners to align their support with national strategic priorities. Touching on global health concerns including COVID-19, Mpox, and the emerging Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Dr Bharath stressed the importance of real-time surveillance, effective border health controls, and proactive community engagement to pre-empt future health crises. 'This conference is more than just dialogue, it is a renewed call to action,' he concluded. 'Together, we must ensure that every child in Pakistan not only survives but thrives, with access to clean water, quality healthcare, and a healthier, more secure future.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran hangs man over 2022 protest deaths, activists say conviction wrongful
Iran on Wednesday hanged a man convicted of killing seven people, including a 10-year-old boy, during nationwide protests in 2022 but human rights groups said he was the victim of a wrongful conviction. Abbas Kurkuri, also known as Mojahed Kurkur, was hanged at dawn in Sheiban prison in the western city of Ahvaz, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights and Hengaw groups said. His execution was reported by the Iranian judiciary's Mizan Online website which said he had been convicted by a Revolutionary Court of the capital offences of "corruption on earth" and "waging war against God". He had been arrested more than two years previously over the deaths in November 2022 at the height of the nationwide protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian Kurd detained for an alleged breach of Iran's strict dress code for women. He was accused of opening fire with a military weapon in the town of Izeh northeast of Ahvaz in an attack that left seven people dead, including 10-year-old Kian Pirfalak, whose death sparked outrage at the time. At his trial, Kurkuri confessed to the charges and said he had been "under the influence of social media", Mizan said. But human rights groups said his confession, which was broadcast by Iranian state media and re-published by Mizan on Wednesday, had been obtained under duress and accused the authorities of framing him to take the blame away from the security forces. - 'Tsunami' of executions - "During his detention, Korkor endured severe torture and was denied access to legal counsel," said Hengaw, adding that Pirfalak's mother had said at her son's funeral that it was security personnel who fired at their vehicle. It noted that the execution had taken place on what would have been the boy's birthday. IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam described the execution as "an extrajudicial killing". "The Islamic republic authorities attempted to blame him for the murder of 10-year old Kian Pirfalak by forcing confessions under torture," he said. He said the hanging of Kurkuri, a member of Iran's Bahktiari minority, was the latest in a "tsunami" of executions in Iran, with convicts currently being put to death at a rate of four a day. According to IHR, at least 569 people have been hanged in Iran so far this year. Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi, currently on leave from her own prison sentence, said Kurkuri had been "brutally tortured in solitary confinement (and) falsely accused of Kian's murder based on fabricated claims by interrogators and the regime's judiciary". Amnesty International said he was convicted after a "grossly unfair sham trial marred by torture-tainted 'confessions' obtained while he was subjected to enforced disappearance". The London-based group said its investigations had showed "plainclothes security officials used unlawful lethal force during protests in Izeh and fatally fired live ammunition at the child". "Authorities immediately blamed 'terrorists', but the boy's family repeatedly refuted these claims publicly and attributed the responsibility to the authorities." Over 550 people were killed in the authorities' crackdown on the protests, according to the IHR's figures. The authorities emphasise that members of the security forces also lost their lives. Kurkuri's execution comes a day after Iran hanged nine men convicted of plotting to carry out attacks in 2018 on behalf of the Islamic State group. Iran is the world's second most prolific executioner after China, according to human rights groups including Amnesty International. bur-sjw/ekf/kir
