Fears Mount over Iran’s Plans to Carry out 2nd Death Sentence against Protester

Iranian authorities are preparing to carry out a second death sentence against a protester who had taken part in rallies against the ruling powers, said Iranian sources. 

The sentence will be carried out in spite of outrage over the first execution of a protester. 

“Iran’s authorities are preparing to execute 22-year-old protester Mahan Sadarat Madani just a month after a grossly unfair trial before a Revolutionary Court in Tehran on Nov. 3,” Amnesty Iran wrote on Twitter. 

“He was moved to Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj on Friday, sparking concerns that his execution is imminent.” 

His family has received word that preparations are underway to carry out the death penalty. 

Amnesty Iran said Sadarat is accused of a “using a knife to attack an individual, setting on fire a motorcycle and damaging a mobile phone, which the court ruled constitutes ‘enmity against God’.” 

“He repeatedly denied in court accusations of attacking someone with a knife,” it said in a series of tweets. 

Sadarat was arrested on October 12 during a protest in Tehran. 

Authorities announced his death sentence last week. 

They said he is accused of “enmity against God”, using a knife in an attack, conspiracy and holding rallies to commit crimes against the security of the country, setting fire to a motorcycle and destroying a mobile phone. 

Appeals have been made against the sentence, citing Sadarat’s remorse. 

Amnesty International has said the Iranian authorities are seeking the death penalty for at least 21 people in what it called “sham trials designed to intimidate those participating in the popular uprising that has rocked Iran.” 

Iran has blamed the unrest on its foreign foes including the United States, although protesters have come from all walks of life in the republic and have drawn public support from prominent cultural and sports figures, as well as a sister and a niece of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.