Iran executed Tuesday Mohammad Ghobadlou, a protester with a long-term psychosocial disability, for the alleged murder of a police officer during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. The Iranian judiciary’s news agency Mizan reported the execution.

The Criminal Court of Tehran Province executed Ghobadlou after the Supreme Court of Iran confirmed Ghobadlou’s death sentence. Ghobadlou was convicted in his alleged connection with the killing of police officer Farid Karampour and the injuring of five other police officers during Mahsa Amini protests.

Alireza Varnaseri, the representative of Masjed Soleiman in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, reportedly expressed support for the execution of Ghobadlu, emphasizing the rights of the Korampour’s family and the broader public interest. He commended the judiciary for carrying out its duties without appeasement, particularly in cases where those responsible for maintaining national security are involved.

However, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) condemned this execution in a press release. UN experts strongly condemned the execution of Ghobadlou and expressed alarm over reports of unfair trial proceedings and a lack of due process in Ghobadlou’s case and others. They called upon Iran to adhere to international human rights law. Concerns were also raised about credible reports that those executed were denied access to lawyers during detention and trial. The experts added, “We reiterate our call on Iranian authorities to review the use and implementation of the death penalty and ensure that capital punishment is used only for the most serious crimes as defined by international law.”

Amini was arrested by Tehran police on September 14, 2022, allegedly for wearing an “improper” hijab. Two hours later, Amini’s family had discovered she was in a coma at the hospital. After two days, the Tehran police had announced her death in custody. The incident sparked protests in major cities across Iran, and both domestic and international critics condemned the actions of the Tehran police.

Earlier in December, Iran executed four individuals, including a woman alleging ties to Israel’s spy agency Mossad. Moreover, the UN has condemned the prior executions, including the execution of 17-year-old Hamidreza Azari.

Criticism against Iran’s high execution rates, especially involving minors and activists, persists, with calls for alignment with international standards and abolishing the death penalty. Iran’s legal system and its Islamic Penal Code, allows capital punishment, contributing to its status as a leading country in executions. As per Iran Human Rights, there have been 52 executions in 2024 alone.