Iran Protests; first demonstrator sentenced to death over riots
Iran has handed down its first death sentence to a protester who participated in riots amid Nationwide protests since the death of Mahsa Amini.
On Sunday, Iran's Mizan Online website sentenced the accused to death for the crime of "setting fire to a government building, disturbing public order, assembly and conspiracy to commit a crime against national security, and an enemy of God and corruption on Earth."
Another court sentenced five other to prison terms between 5 and 10 years for "gathering and conspiring to commit crimes against national security and disturbing public order."
On Sunday, the judiciary said that 750 people had been charged in three provinces for these incidents and over 2,000 people had already been charged since the protest started mid-September.
Iran has seen nationwide protests since the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. The 22 year-old who was arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly dressing improperly in line with the country's strict dress code. Many of the protesters have been led by young people and women and is said to be the most prominent anti-government protests seen by the Islamic regime since 1979.
The protests are reported to have spread to 140 cities and towns and evolved into the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic in over a decade. At least 326 protesters, including 43 children and 25 women, have been killed in a violent crackdown by security forces, according to Iran Human Rights
At least 14,000 people have been arrested during the recent protests. However, Kazem Gharibabadi, secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights denied the arrest of so many people but did not provide any official information about the number of detainees.