Iran: new execution of a man accused of terrorism during the war against Israel

Iranian justice announced on Wednesday the hanging of a man, presented as being responsible for attacks during the war against Israel and the United States, at a time when executions linked to the conflict are increasing in Iran. “Ali-Sina Mostafavi, armed terrorist and agent of the American-Zionist enemy during the war, was hanged,” the judiciary said. The press release does not specify the date of his arrest or that of his trial.

The accused had carried out “several armed terrorist attacks” in Kerman (south-east), causing injuries to the population, said Iranian justice. The judiciary also accused Ali-Sina Mostafavi of “moharebeh” (“war against God” in Persian), one of the most serious offenses punishable by death, and of “communication with hostile media affiliated with the Zionist regime”, in reference to Israel, sworn enemy of Iranian power.

Arrests and executions have increased

Justice also accuses Ali-Sina Mostafavi of having been in contact with “the monarchist movement”, of which Reza Pahlavi is the figure. The son of the shah deposed in 1979 during the Islamic Revolution, who lives in exile in the United States, regularly calls for the overthrow of power in Tehran. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on the Islamic Republic, triggering the war in the Middle East, which left thousands dead.

Since then, arrests and executions have increased in Iran, linked both to the conflict and the anti-government demonstrations that occurred at the start of the year, marked by damage on an unprecedented scale and numerous deaths. According to NGOs, including Amnesty International, Iran is the second country in the world that executes the most people, after China.