Iran protests: 15 minutes to defend yourself against the death penalty
Source: BBC
Iran protests: 15 minutes to defend yourself against the death penalty
18 January 2023
By Maryam Afshang
BBC Persian
Four young men have been executed in connection with the nationwide protests that erupted in Iran four months ago, while 18 other people have been sentenced to death. Human rights groups have said they were convicted after grossly unfair sham trials.
Mohammad Mehdi Karami, a 22-year-old karate champion, was hanged on 7 January, just 65 days after his arrest.
Sources have told BBC Persian that he had less than 15 minutes to defend himself in court.
His story shows how authorities in Iran are using show trials to strike fear into the hearts of the protesters, who are demanding freedom and an end to the clerical regime.
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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64302726
Mohammad Mehdi Karami told his family he was tortured in detention (WANI/Reuters)
