BERLIN, Jan 9 (Reuters) – Germany on Monday condemned Iran for using the death penalty against demonstrators, and a government spokesperson said Berlin wanted to crank up pressure on the Iranian authorities with new international measures.
Iran hanged two men on Saturday for allegedly killing a member of the security forces during nationwide protests that followed the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16, drawing condemnation from the European Union, the United States and other Western nations.
Iran’s Government Hangs Two Men Accused of Killing Security Official During Protests
Berlin was horrified by the executions of 22-year-old Mohammad Mehdi Karami and 39-year-old Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini, whose deaths bring the number of executions linked to the protests to four, the German government spokesperson told a regular briefing.
The spokesperson repeated Germany’s appeal to Iran to refrain from further executions and to abolish the death penalty. “Together with our international partners, we will increase the pressure further on the Iranian regime,” the spokesperson said.
It was important to show Iran “there would be a price to pay if it continues to act this way”, he added.
A German foreign ministry spokesperson said the goal was to agree a fourth package of sanctions with other European Union member states in response to the crackdown.
Jan. 8, 2023 #Karaj #Iran#MohammadGhobadloo's mother tells crowd gathered in front of Rajaei-Sahr prison, the judiciary committed fraud by putting false documents in her son's file. Her son is sentenced to death, accused of running over security agents during #IranProtests2022 pic.twitter.com/GxlTMgWgJ2
— Kayhan Life (@KayhanLife) January 9, 2023
Britain Says Iran’s Execution of Two Protesters Is ‘Abhorrent’
(Reporting by Rachel More and Matthias Williams. Editing by Miranda Murray)
