Iranian student, 21-year-old Mohammed Nasiri reportedly accused of “waging war against God has been sentenced to death.
His crime was taking part in anti-regime protests in Iran – seeking greater freedom and equality – he was part of a group giving out chocolates and hugs to passers-by.
He was arrested last month in the city of Qazvin with the accusation of “waging war against God”, after he allegedly wounded a member of the pro-regime militia forces.
How the arrest happened
Four men decided to take part in the protest movement that has been sweeping Iran seeking greater freedom and equality.
It is reported that two of the men were giving out chocolates to people in the street and hugs while the other two were filming and looking out for security forces.
But they were eventually found our by plain clothed police, they ran to escape with all of them succeeding apart from Mr Nasiri.
Vahid, a member of the group stated: ‘Our job was to give free hugs or chocolates to passers-by. In our opinion, this was the most peaceful way to protest the existing situation. We were often encouraged by people and passers-by.’
‘On November 12, we were on Khayyam Street for 15 minutes when a motorbike approached us and a person said we should be cautious because he had seen plainclothes officers watching us.
‘As soon as that policeman reached Mohammad, he hit him with an electric shocker and stopped him. Two or three people started beating him. Then they dragged his half-dead body on the ground and took him with them to the parking lot of the Persian Gulf complex,’ said Vahid
The emergence of protests followed immediately the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died in police custody in September.
Ms Amini was arrested by Iran’s morality police for ‘improperly’ wearing her hijab and, according to her family and local media, severely beaten while in custody.
Ever since, protestors have been demanding the overthrow of Iran’s clerical rulers. There is no accurate figures of how many people have been killed since the protests began.
According to independent estimates, the ongoing protests in Iran have killed at least 458 people, including 63 children, and injured at least 1,160. With two executions carried out and eleven people have so far been sentenced to death by Iranian courts.
More than 18,000 people reportedly have been arrested.
