Latest news with #MaryamRajavi
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran more than doubles state executions in first half of 2025
Iran more than doubled the number of state executions it has carried out this year compared to data from the first half of 2024, confirmed the United Nations on Monday. The UN Human Rights Office said that at least 612 people have been executed this year alone, a figure more than double the 297 people who were killed during the same time period last year. Minority groups continue to make up a disproportionate number of those being killed by Tehran, confirmed the U.N. Iran Ramps Up State Executions Amid Nuclear Talks With Us "It is alarming to see the reports that indicate there are at least 48 people currently on death row – 12 of whom are believed to be at imminent risk of execution," U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said on Monday. The news of the drastically increased number of state executions comes just one day after Tehran killed Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani on Sunday, both of whom were allegedly involved with the opposition movement known as the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK). Read On The Fox News App Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a dissident group based in Paris led by the MEK, took to X to condemn the killings, and quoted the final words of Behrouz Ehsani: "We will never—under any circumstances—surrender to this bloodthirsty and criminal regime. Never shall we bow to humiliation." According to Amnesty International, "[both] were executed arbitrarily amid Iran's horrific execution crisis." "Their executions highlight the authorities' use of the death penalty as a tool of repression in times of national crisis to crush dissent and spread fear," the group added. More than 40% of those executed this year were convicted on drug-related offenses, while the U.N. also found that many were not only tried behind closed doors, but were issued vague charges like "enmity against God" and "corruption on earth" — both of which are apparently used by the regime to "silence dissent." "Information received by my Office also indicates that judicial proceedings in a number of cases, often held behind closed doors, have consistently failed to meet due process and fair trial guarantees," Türk said in a statement. Iran Executes Over 1K Prisoners In 2024, Highest Total In 30 Years, Report Says The number of state executions has drastically escalated since President Massoud Pezeshkian took office in July 2024, with at least 975 people killed in 2024, the highest rate since 2015. The U.N. body further warned that Iran is looking to expand its use of the death penalty and is reviewing a new espionage bill that will redefine what it considers "collaboration with hostile States." Acts including online communication and collaborating with the foreign media will apparently call into question their "ideological alignment" and will be punishable by death. The changes come as Israel has called for a regime change in Tehran, and has repeatedly emphasized that the recent strikes were an attack against the government, not the Iranian people. "This bill dangerously broadens the scope of capital punishment for espionage, and I call for it to be rescinded," Türk said. "The death penalty is incompatible with the right to life and irreconcilable with human dignity. "Instead of accelerating executions, I urge Iran join the worldwide movement abolishing capital punishment, starting with a moratorium on all executions," he article source: Iran more than doubles state executions in first half of 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Iran more than doubles state executions in first half of 2025
Iran more than doubled the number of state executions it has carried out this year compared to data from the first half of 2024, confirmed the United Nations on Monday. The UN Human Rights Office said that at least 612 people have been executed this year alone, a figure more than double the 297 people who were killed during the same time period last year. Minority groups continue to make up a disproportionate number of those being killed by Tehran, confirmed the U.N. "It is alarming to see the reports that indicate there are at least 48 people currently on death row – 12 of whom are believed to be at imminent risk of execution," U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said on Monday. The news of the drastically increased number of state executions comes just one day after Tehran killed Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani on Sunday, both of whom were allegedly involved with the opposition movement known as the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK). Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a dissident group based in Paris led by the MEK, took to X to condemn the killings and said, "We will never—under any circumstances—surrender to this bloodthirsty and criminal regime. Never shall we bow to humiliation." According to Amnesty International, "[both] were executed arbitrarily amid Iran's horrific execution crisis." "Their executions highlight the authorities' use of the death penalty as a tool of repression in times of national crisis to crush dissent and spread fear," the group added. More than 40% of those executed this year were convicted on drug-related offenses, while the U.N. also found that many were not only tried behind closed doors, but were issued vague charges like "enmity against God" and "corruption on earth" — both of which are apparently used by the regime to "silence dissent." "Information received by my Office also indicates that judicial proceedings in a number of cases, often held behind closed doors, have consistently failed to meet due process and fair trial guarantees," Türk said in a statement. The number of state executions has drastically escalated since President Massoud Pezeshkian took office in July 2024, with at least 975 people killed in 2024, the highest rate since 2015. The U.N. body further warned that Iran is looking to expand its use of the death penalty and is reviewing a new espionage bill that will redefine what it considers "collaboration with hostile States." Acts including online communication and collaborating with the foreign media will apparently call into question their "ideological alignment" and will be punishable by death. The changes come as Israel has called for a regime change in Tehran, and has repeatedly emphasized that the recent strikes were an attack against the government, not the Iranian people. "This bill dangerously broadens the scope of capital punishment for espionage, and I call for it to be rescinded," Türk said. "The death penalty is incompatible with the right to life and irreconcilable with human dignity. "Instead of accelerating executions, I urge Iran join the worldwide movement abolishing capital punishment, starting with a moratorium on all executions," he added.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Iran executes two members of opposition group for attacking infrastructure
Iran executed two members of the banned Mujahideen-e-Khalq group for attacking civilian infrastructure with homemade projectiles, the judiciary news outlet Mizan said on Sunday, amid criticism from Amnesty International over a "grossly unfair" trial. 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. Maryam Rajavi, who leads the National Council of Resistance of Iran, of which the MEK is the main force, paid tribute to the pair. "Honour to these steadfast Mojahedin who, after three years of unwavering resistance under torture, pressure, and threats, fulfilled their solemn pledge to God and the people with pride and dignity." 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. Reuters
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Exiled MEK group condemns execution of two members in Iran
The execution in Iran of two men convicted of carrying out armed operations for an exiled opposition group is a "brutal crime", the group's leader said on Sunday, urging countries to act against "bloodthirsty" authorities in Tehran. "This brutality only intensifies the outrage of the Iranian people and reinforces the determination of Iran's courageous youth to bring an end to this theocratic tyranny," Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), said on X. Rajavi is president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the political wing of the People's Mujahedin of Iran, which Tehran regards as a "terrorist" group. The men, identified as Mehdi Hasani and Behrouz Ehsani-Eslamloo, were found guilty of manufacturing improvised launchers and mortars and conducting attacks that targeted civilians, homes and public and charitable institutions. The Iranian judiciary said they aimed to "disrupt social order and endanger the safety of innocent citizens". Both men were described as long-time affiliates of the MEK. The timing and details of their arrest were not immediately disclosed, but Rajavi praised the two men's "three years of unwavering resistance under torture, pressure, and threats." "I call upon the United Nations, its member states, and all defenders of human rights to take decisive action in response to this brutal crime. Mere words of condemnation are no longer sufficient," Rajavi said. "The time has come for concrete and effective measures against a regime built on executions and torture. Continued inaction serves only to embolden this bloodthirsty regime at a moment when it is at its most vulnerable." Several NGOs say that Iranian authorities have arrested hundreds of people and executed dozens in a wave of repression following the 12-day war with Israel, accusing the Islamic republic of using fear to compensate for weaknesses revealed by the conflict. Iran enforces capital punishment for a range of serious crimes and ranks as the world's second-most prolific executioner after China, according to human rights groups including Amnesty International. fz-as/ yad
Fox News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Iranian dissident leader outlines vision for regime change, says it's 'inevitable'
As President Donald Trump's historic ceasefire takes effect, uncertainty over the future of Iran and the push for regime change has the main Iranian opposition groups verbally fighting it out to persuade Iranians that they are most capable of taking over from the mullahs. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), answered questions on the group's positions and policies that she hopes will lead the Iranian people to rise up against the regime. Rajavi leads the controversial group, which is affiliated to Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK). Once listed as a terrorist organization in the U.S., the group was taken off the list in 2012 and is credited with first exposing the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear weapons program. Excerpts of Fox News Digital's interview with Maryam Rajavi follow. Maryam Rajavi: Absolutely. Regime change in Iran is not merely a possibility but a historical imperative — inevitable and within reach. An explosive and discontented society and an organized resistance willing to pay the highest price for their homeland's freedom exist today. Conversely, the regime of the supreme leader has lost all legitimacy due to deep-rooted structural corruption, ruthless repression, and widespread economic incompetence. The waves of popular uprisings—from 2009 to 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022 — with powerful slogans like "Death to the Dictator, Death to Khamenei" and "Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Leader," clearly reflect the Iranian people's unwavering resolve to end this regime. Maryam Rajavi: We offer the Iranian people a democratic and inclusive alternative: a republic based on separation of religion and state, complete gender equality, respect for the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, and abolition of the death penalty. The Ten-Point Plan I presented 19 years ago to the Council of Europe is rooted in universal principles of human rights and provides a comprehensive and practical roadmap for a free and just Iran. Unlike the regime, which rules through fear and repression, we believe in the power of the people and their free choice. At the core of our resistance stands the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK), with its 60-year history of confronting two dictatorships, presenting a tolerant and democratic Islam that embraces coexistence among followers of different religions. It represents a cultural alternative — indeed, the antithesis — to the backward and reactionary culture of the clerics. From the outset, our slogan confronting the clerics has been clear: "No to compulsory veiling, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory governance." One of the most distinctive features of this resistance against misogynistic religious tyranny is its steadfast commitment to gender equality. For more than three decades, women have exercised hegemony and held commanding roles within the MEK, the principal constituent of the NCRI—a pioneering phenomenon that represents a profound and unprecedented transformation. Maryam Rajavi: Under conditions of absolute tyranny, when has the popularity of our resistance ever been genuinely tested through free elections or reliable polling? Under these circumstances, the sole measure is the legitimacy of resistance itself. Such accusations are part of a deliberate and extensive demonization campaign by the regime against its principal opposition. Annually, the regime spends hundreds of millions of dollars producing films, television series, hundreds of books, thousands of articles, recruiting mercenaries posing as oppositionists, forging documents, and conducting cyber operations, as well as hiring foreign journalists and media outlets—all to disparage the Iranian resistance and cast doubt on its credibility. Their goal is to persuade international counterparts that no legitimate alternative exists and that engaging with this regime is their only option. If our resistance truly lacked popular support, why is the regime so fearful of its influence and impact inside Iran? Why, over the past 46 years, has the permanent slogan at all official regime ceremonies—even in parliament—been "Death to the MEK?" Why have over 100,000 MEK supporters and members been executed? Why has the regime consistently targeted gatherings and representatives of the resistance abroad in its terrorist plots and operations? Look at the NCRI's international gatherings, sometimes attracting crowds of up to 100,000 people. These are representatives of the Iranian people, especially from the urban middle class. Look at the list of MEK martyrs, encompassing diverse social classes, and the MEK's financial independence, funded entirely by Iranian contributions at home and abroad. We fight on behalf of tens of millions of Iranians for freedom and a better future, pursuing the very ideals George Washington fought for—fundamental human rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, under a government deriving its power from the consent of the governed. Maryam Rajavi: Our message to the President and all world leaders is clear: regime change is within reach, achievable by the Iranian people and their organized resistance. We have consistently emphasized we need neither money nor weapons. What we seek from the international community is a firm policy against the regime and recognition of the Iranian people's right to self-determination—free from any form of dictatorship, whether religious or monarchical—and acknowledgment of the Resistance Units' struggle against the IRGC to overthrow the regime. This approach benefits not only the Iranian people but also ensures lasting peace and stability in the Middle East and the world. Twenty-one years ago, at the European Parliament, I warned that neither war nor appeasement would resolve the Iran crisis. I advocated the realistic third option: regime change by the people and their organized resistance. I warned then that appeasement would embolden the regime and eventually impose war on the West. Today, this warning has, all too bitterly, become reality. Maryam Rajavi: Within Iran, all those committed to overthrowing this regime stand united. Politically, since its founding in 1981, the NCRI has demonstrated, as the broadest and longest-lasting political coalition in Iranian history, its readiness to cooperate with all political groups and currents committed to democracy, human rights, secularism, and a republican form of governance. This council encompasses diverse organizations, representatives of various ethnicities, including Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs, Turkmens, and political figures with varied perspectives. In 2002, the NCRI proposed the National Solidarity Plan, urging all political currents and groups to unite around three principles: regime overthrow, democratic republic, and secularism. The NCRI fully supports minority rights oppressed under both the [Mohammad Reza] Pahlavi and clerical dictatorships, and our plan for autonomy in Iranian Kurdistan, adopted 42 years ago, serves as a model for other ethnic groups. However, [the]monarchy has no place in Iran, and any alliance with monarchists benefits only the regime, which seeks to associate its opponents with the past dictatorship. Remnants of the Shah have neither influence nor significant organizational presence within or outside Iran. Maryam Rajavi: Only through a democratic process—free and fair elections. According to the NCRI's plan, the provisional government established after the regime's fall is obligated to organize elections for a Constituent and Legislative Assembly within six months—free elections through direct and secret ballot. Once convened, this Assembly will assume governance, tasked with drafting a new constitution and managing national affairs. The provisional government's mandate will conclude upon the Assembly's establishment, which will then appoint a new interim government reflective of the people's vote. The Iranian people look neither to the past nor the current status quo but forward—to a free and democratic future, where legitimacy derives solely from the ballot box.
