Switzerland condemns execution of Iranian demonstrators

Two more protesters have been executed in Iran. As the Iranian judicial authority announced on Saturday, the two men Mohammad Mahdi Karami (22) and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini (39) were hanged in the early hours of the morning.

The two men were accused of being responsible for the death of a security guard during protests against the system in November. The two convicts did not have a lawyer, so human rights organizations speak of a show trial.

EDA reports via Twitter

Switzerland reacted to the news and condemned the executions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA) writes on Twitter. Switzerland rejects the death penalty “under all circumstances”. The tweet was written by FDFA Secretary of State Livia Leu (62), who was herself ambassador to Tehran.

Two other men were executed before Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosein for their involvement in the protest movement following the death of Mahsa Amini. Numerous other death sentences were imposed.

According to Iranian activists and human rights groups abroad, more than 500 people have been killed during the protests – mostly protesters, but also security forces. More than 18,500 demonstrators were reportedly arrested. Iran has neither confirmed nor denied this information. Tehran’s brutal crackdown on demonstrators, and in particular the two executions, were condemned at home and abroad.

No further sanctions

A national rally was held on Saturday in solidarity with the protests in Iran. About 2,500 people protested against the Iranian regime in Zurich. The organization “Free Iran Switzerland” had called for the meeting. They reiterated their call for a change of course in Swiss Iran policy. In particular, she demanded that the Federal Council approve EU sanctions against the government in Tehran.

But this doesn’t seem to meet the request for now. As the FDFA writes on its website, the Department of Economics, Education and Research is responsible for sanctions policy in Switzerland. “When it comes to whether Switzerland will adopt new sanctions against Iran, all domestic and foreign policy interests are always taken into account, including Switzerland’s good offices in Iran.”

Switzerland wanted to keep existing channels of communication open and to continue “critical dialogue with the Iranian government” and to make its demands directly regarding the human rights situation and other issues, the FDFA continues. (she/SDA)