Iran Sentences Three Election Protesters to Death

ISNA quoted Zahed Bashiri Rad, media officer at the justice ministry as saying "Three people who were accused (for their role) in the post-election incidents have been sentenced to death." Rad only gave the initials of the three prisoners, MZ, AP, and NA. According to his statement, "MZ and AP were convicted for ties with the Kingdom Assembly of Iran and NA for ties with the Monafeghin." The Monfeghin is an exiled opposition group also known as the People's Mujahedeen.

The sentences can be appealed to a higher court. These sentences follow another which was reported on Friday by Amnesty International. The organization said that Iran had sentenced Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani, an accused member of an exiled opposition group, to death.

It is unclear if Zamani is the MZ listed above, in the statement from the judiciary. However, the statement with regards to the 37-year-old is that he was convicted of "enmity against God" through membership in the aforementioned opposition group.

The results of the July 12th Iranian presidential elections led to many violent protests and arrests. Approximately 4,000 were arrested and 140 of them have been put on trial for inciting protests, among other charges.