The Iranian regime is due to execute a demonstrator on Wednesday over his alleged involvement in the protests sweeping the nation, rights groups have claimed.
Erfan Soltani, a resident of Fardis, just west of Tehran, could become the first person to be sentenced to death for participating in protests that have rocked the country over the last two weeks.
Mr Soltani, 26, was arrested at his home just six days ago and rushed through the justice system to face the death penalty on Wednesday as the regime steps up its brutal crackdown on dissent, according to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, an independent NGO based in Norway.
His family were told of the decision only on Monday and have been refused information about his charges or judicial proceedings, the organisation said.
Mr Soltani’s sister, who is a lawyer, has been blocked from accessing the case file, a source close to the family said.
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), another independent rights organisation based in Oslo, said that the regime was seeking to deal with the protesters “swiftly” and “severely”, using special branches of the Revolutionary Courts.
They quoted a source close to the family in saying that Mr Soltani did not have access to a lawyer and, as far as [the family] is aware, no trial was granted to hear his case. It is not clear what the charges against him are, they said.
An Iranian official said that as many as 2,000 people have been killed during demonstrations over the last two weeks as the regime ramps up efforts to crush the protests.
The US-based organisation HRANA said in its report on Monday afternoon that at least 646 people have been killed over 16 days of protest, including 505 protesters. It reported that 133 military and law enforcement personnel had also been killed.
The ongoing internet blackout limiting information in and out of the country has made it difficult to assess and verify casualty reports, it noted.
