Iran sentences man to death for supporting protests on social media

In Iran in 2022, mass protests erupted following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Mahmoud Mehrabi has now been sentenced to death by the court for publishing content on social media in support of the demonstrations and opposing the regime's actions.

On Tuesday, the Iranian judiciary announced that Mahmoud Mehrabi was condemned to death for his activities on social media that supported the protests sparked by the tragic demise of Mahsa Amini in September 2022.

Mehrabi was found guilty of publishing "content that disseminated knowledge on crafting homemade weapons, incited the destruction of public property, and urged people to commit murder" during the protests, according to Mizan Online.

Mizan Online also disclosed that Mehrabi faced "52 lawsuits from individuals accusing him of spreading falsehoods". It's noteworthy that the trial was conducted in the presence of his lawyers.

The harsh verdict can be contested in a higher court, allowing for the potential overturning of this grave sentence.

One of Mehrabi’s attorneys, Babak Farsani, revealed via a post on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) that his client was sentenced to death by the revolutionary court for "spreading scandal.”

In Iran, the death of Mahsa Amini after a brutal police arrest due to her attire sparked massive protests. Her death led to widespread street demonstrations, with thousands calling for justice and systemic reforms. In response, the Iranian authorities arrested thousands, many of whom faced severe mistreatment.

Adding to the crackdown, the Iranian court recently condemned rapper Toomaj Salehi to death for his support of the protest movement. Salehi had been imprisoned for over a year and a half before his sentence.

Amnesty International’s reports shed light on the grim scale of repression in Iran, indicating that in 2023 alone, as many as 853 individuals were executed.