The death of Mohsen Shekari is notable because it is the first state-authorized execution that may be directly tied to the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests.
Mohsen Shekari’s Death Iranian Protesters Face Death Penalty
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Shekari took part in a protest over Mahsa Amini’s death on September 25, 2022, in Tehran, Iran’s capital. While blocking or closing off Sattar Khan Street, a key artery in Tehran, he allegedly used a machete to hurt a member of the Basij militia, which was brought in to put a stop to the protests, but not fatally.
The injury necessitated 13 stitches on the militiaman’s left shoulder. Following his death, Shekari was accused of being a “rioter,” according to the Iranian court’s Mizan news agency. Shekari stated that a friend persuaded him to assault a police officer in exchange for his participation in the demonstrations.
Judge Abolqasem Salavati presided over Shekari’s trial on November 1, 2022.
Shekari was found guilty of moharebeh, or “enmity against God,” which carries an immediate death penalty under Sharia, as well as drawing a weapon “with the intent of killing, inciting panic, and upsetting the order and security of society.”
The court could have sentenced Shekari to a lesser penalty, such as deportation, but he opted not to. Shekari appealed the decision. The Supreme Court of Iran affirmed the verdict on November 20, 2022, even though lawyers did not aid Shekari at the time of the appeal.
Shekari was hung up early in the morning on December 8, 2022. His relatives waited outside the prison for word of his location while the execution was going place. The execution of Shekari was verified by the Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, but no other information was released.
At least 459 people have been killed by police since the Mahsa Amini demonstrations began in September 2022. Nonetheless, Shekari’s death made him the first person lawfully killed for his involvement in the demonstrations.
Following his death, state media in Iran aired excerpts of Shekari’s detention and trial. Shekari was seen limping down a corridor, and evidence included recordings of him flashing a knife and acting out the assault.
Reaction to Mohsen Shekari’s Death
According to Sanam Vakil, deputy head of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Program, Mohsen Shekari’s death suggested to demonstrators that the “indicating the height of its tolerance.” The system feels it has been functioning responsibly up to this point, but this execution may signal the end of that.”
Similarly, Iran’s Police Chief, Hossein Ashtari, warned on Thursday that “the Police will not show restraint in dealing with security concerns.” According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Mohsen Shekari’s death has left America “appalled.”
Death of Mohsen Shekari
Blinken tweeted, “Our message to Iran’s leadership is clear: End this savage repression.” Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, tweeted that Shekari “was executed after being perfidiously tried in a hurry for opposing the dictatorship.”
The Iranian leadership has an unending contempt for humanity. The prospect of death, on the other hand, will not dampen the populace’s longing for liberty.”
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