Iran executed a man on Monday who had been convicted of carrying out armed attacks during the statewide anti-government rallies that peaked in January, the judiciary announced.
Abbas Akbari’s execution is the latest in a series of executions by the Islamic Republic, which increased hangings in security-related cases following the commencement of war with Israel and the US on February 28.
“Abbas Akbari… was hanged this morning,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website reported, describing him as “one of the armed leaders” during protests in the central province of Isfahan.
The report states that Akbari “opened fire in the street at security forces” and “was one of the armed leaders of the riots in Nain town in Isfahan province” while carrying a handgun.
He was also suspected of targeting the governorate building, security facilities, and health centers in Nain.
According to the judiciary, Akbari was sentenced to death on charges of “moharebeh” (waging war against God) and deliberate destruction of public property “with the intent of confronting the system, disrupting public order and security, and assembly and collusion against national security.”
The Supreme Court affirmed the sentence after his appeal, and he was executed on Monday morning, according to Mizan.
On Sunday, Iran killed a man convicted of espionage, the first documented death tied to spying allegations during the war.
According to rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Iran has the world’s second-highest number of executions, trailing only China.
