Iran Executes 14 Afghans, Including 17-Year-Old, Amid Crackdown on Dissent

Dec 3, 2024, 08:02 AM

Iran has executed at least 14 Afghan nationals in the past month, according to reports from human rights organizations. Among the executed, Ismael Barkzai, a 17-year-old Afghan citizen from Farah province, was arrested in Yazd on charges of murder. Additionally, the Iranian government has sentenced six political prisoners to death for alleged armed rebellion through membership in anti-government groups, as reported by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. These actions come amidst a backdrop of increased capital punishment in Iran, with at least 135 executions carried out in November, marking the second-highest monthly total for 2024. The executions are part of a broader crackdown on dissent, with the government also arresting four individuals accused of spying and sabotage near the capital, Tehran.