Using Executions to Spread Fear in Iran

by Matt Kelley · 2009-07-05 11:19:00 UTC
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The government of Iran executed 20 people yesterday in Tehran, all convicted of drug trafficking in the last five years. These executions are reprehensible on their own, but even more frightening considering they are likely aimed at spreading fear among protesters.

"34 people have been executed in Iran in the past 4 days, and 26 of the executions have taken place in Tehran. There is no doubt that these executions are meant to spread fear among the people and suppress further the pro-democracy movement in Iran" said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, spokesperson of Iran Human Rights.

Via Death Penalty News.

Matt Kelley is the Online Communications Manager at the Innocence Project and a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow him on Twitter @mattjkelley.
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