Two Men Jailed for Quran Burning in Iran
Two men convicted in 2021 for “burning the Quran” and “insulting the Prophet of Islam” have been handed hefty prison sentences by Iran’s Arak Criminal Court, reports the judiciary’s Mizan news agency.
In addition to charges linked to religious disrespect, the pair were sentenced to six years behind bars for “running groups to act against national security.”
Human Rights Fury Over Harsh Verdict
Human rights activists slammed the verdict as “a cruel act by a medieval regime,” raising serious questions about the fairness of the trial. The men were reportedly kept in solitary confinement for two months and denied legal counsel.
Iran has executed over 200 people so far this year. Last year alone, executions surged by 75%, reaching 582, according to Iran Human Rights. The spike is seen as a brutal attempt to “spread fear” amid mass protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in custody last September.
EU Condemns Execution of Swedish-Iranian Dual National
Adding to tensions, the European Union roundly condemned the execution of Habib Chaab, a Swedish-Iranian accused of orchestrating a deadly 2018 attack on a military parade. The EU denounced the execution “in the strongest terms.”
