‘Silence is not the answer’: Iranian-Canadians horrified by first-known execution
Global News
Iranian-Canadian human rights advocate Nazanin Afshin-Jam, who founded Stop Child Executions, said the western world needs to take action now and go beyond condemnation.
The Islamic Republic has conducted its first known execution in connection to the anti-regime protests that have rocked the country since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
Mohsen Shekari, 23, was reportedly hanged after being found guilty by a revolutionary court of “waging war against God.”
According to Mizan news agency, which is run by the regime’s judiciary, Shekari was accused of blocking a street and wounding a member of the pro-regime Basij militia on Sept. 25.
Rights groups, such as Oslo-based Iran Human Rights, say Shekari was tortured and forced to confess with a sham trial without any due process.
Iranian-Canadians are horrified about the news Thursday, worried about their relatives still in Iran.
Amir Bahejekian, an Iranian-Canadian activist, has a cousin in Tehran named Semiramis Babaei. He learned recently the award-winning author, journalist, translator and playwright was arrested at her home.
She is now being held at the notorious Evin Prison.
