Iran: EU Condemns Execution of Karate Champion, Children's Coach In Connection With Anti-Government Protests

The European Union expressed outrage over the execution of two men in Iran for their roles in the paramilitary force member's death amid demonstrations that started when a woman died in police detention.

In a statement, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borell said, "The EU is appalled by the execution of Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini arrested and sentenced to death in connection with the ongoing protests in Iran."

He portrayed the latest Iran executions as another evidence of the "violent repression" of citizen protests by the Iranian government, according to a report from RTE.

The European Union once again urges the Iranian authorities to immediately stop the severely condemned practice of handing down and implementing death sentences against protestors.

Since mid-September, national rallies have called for the overthrow of Iran's religious government. The remark came after Iran murdered two more individuals, bringing the total to four.

Human Rights Groups Blast Iran's Sham Trials

According to Iranian officials, two individuals were hanged for allegedly murdering a volunteer paramilitary during the demonstrations, which started in September.

Karami and Hosseini went through brief, secret trials, which Western countries and human rights organizations said were a charade.

Human rights group Amnesty International noted that coerced confessions were a factor in the convictions. Amnesty said that state media publicized the defendants' coerced "confessions" and called them "murderers" before the trial began, violating "their rights to presumption of innocence and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment."

Judiciary news outlet Mizan reported that they were found guilty of murdering Revolutionary Guard member Seyed Ruhollah Ajamian, a member of the volunteer Basij army, per Sky News.

According to reports, the crime occurred on November 3 in Karaj, a city outside of Tehran.

Karami was denied the last-minute opportunity to communicate with his family before his execution, according to his legal counselor, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi.

Aghasi noted that Karami started a dry food hunger strike Wednesday to protest authorities for not authorizing the lawyer to assist him.

According to reports from the Iranian government and Iranian media, 41 additional protestors have been sentenced to death in recent months, per CNN.

Executed Men Remembered

Karami, a 21-year-old karate champion and had an image of the Olympic rings tattooed on the inside of his arm. The Iranian-Kurdish was a bold and smart youngster who began practicing karate at the age of 11, according to his cousin. After winning the national championships, he subsequently joined the Iranian youth national team.

Karami's parents begged the government to spare his life in a video shared on social media last month. His family claims he suffered torture while in jail.

A German legislator who supported Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini's cause recalled the 20-year-old for his voluntary work with kids.

"The story of #SeyedMohammadHosseini is so sad," tweeted Ye-One Rhie, adding that his parents both passed away and he offers free coaching to children.

Hosseini was apprehended on his route to visit the graves of his parents. The lawmaker further said that his brother was abducted and had not been seen since.

Tags

Iran, European Union, Human rights