Iran carried out the executions of three young demonstrators in the early morning hours Thursday, timing the hangings just one day before the country’s New Year celebrations in what human rights advocates are calling an act of “state terror.”
The three men – Saleh Mohammadi, 19, Saeed Davoudi, 22, and Mehdi Ghasemi, believed to be in his early twenties – were put to death on accusations of “participation in the murder” of law enforcement officers in Qom during violent confrontations that occurred January 8-9.
According to human rights organizations, the trio was detained after authorities violently suppressed the January demonstrations and were compelled through torture to admit guilt to offenses they did not carry out.
The executions took place at dawn in Qom, adding to growing concerns about the fate of hundreds of other detained protesters who may face similar retribution from the regime.
Rights activists maintain that the young men had retracted their coerced confessions when they appeared in court, but were still sentenced to death despite the torture allegations.
