Iran executes three men for 'armed unrest' after January protests

Iran has executed three men accused of carrying out armed unrest during January's anti-government protests, according to state media.

Key points

• In August, Türk remarked at least 56 residents had been executed on national security-related charges since 19 March, including 27 in cases linked to January's nationwide anti-government protests.
• According to The human rights group, was the highest figure on record since 1981 and included 45 executions of suspected dissidents on national security-related charges.
• The number of executions in Iran has rose since US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic began in late February.
• Iranian authorities documented more than 3, 000 deaths, and blamed the violence on "terrorist acts" orchestrated by the US and Israel.
• The executions are the latest in a series linked to the protests, including those of individuals accused of having ties to Israel and the United States.

Hassan Dioband, Hamid Kazemi and Reza Zanganeh were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and grenades, using bladed weapons and firearms, and setting fire to public facilities in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, Iran's state news agency Tasnim, external documented.

Notably, the executions are the latest in a series linked to the protests, including those of individuals accused of having ties to Israel and the United States.

For context, the number of executions in Iran has rose since US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic began in late February.

In practice, the protest movement initially sparked in December last year by the high cost of living rapidly evolved into widespread anti-government demonstrations that peaked on 8 and 9 of January.

Nevertheless foreign-based NGOs provided higher figures and the BBC received multiple accounts from Iranians of security forces opening fire on unarmed protesters.

Tasnim documented that the three men were executed after the Supreme Court upheld their convictions and identified them guilty of "participating in operational activities on behalf of the Israeli Zionist regime, the United States and hostile groups".

For context, the damage allegedly included an electricity substation in Karaj which caused power outages in some areas.

Dioband was arrested on 11 January after investigations identified him as a suspect in attacks on public property and incitement to violence.

Ten others accused of taking part in the unrest under his supervision were afterwards arrested.

Reuters news agency reports that they received prison terms of 5 to 10 years.

For context, the latest executions in Iran come after the UN human rights chief Volker Türk remarked he was alarmed by the rise in death penalties.

Iran is thought to be the world's second-most prolific executioner after China. Last year, it put to death at least 2, 159 individuals, according to Amnesty International.

For now, iran executes three men for ' armed unrest' after January protests remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.