Iran carried out highest number of executions in decades

Iran carried out highest number of executions in decades14 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDavid GrittenGetty ImagesIranians living in Spain protested against recent executions in the Islamic Republic in Madrid on SaturdayIran executed at least 1,639 people last year, the highest number recorded there since 1989, two non-governmental organisations say.The total represents an increase of 68% compared to 2024, when 975 executions were recorded, according to a report by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (EPCM).Most of those hanged were convicted of drug-related offences or murder, they say. But at least 57 were convicted of security-related charges, including two protesters.The NGOs warn that Iranian authorities could use executions even more extensively this year in the wake of January's protests and the war against the US and Israel.Since the start of the conflict on 28 February, seven people have been executed in connection with the protests, when thousands of demonstrators were killed and tens of thousands detained during an unprecedented crackdown by security forces.Six people convicted of membership of the exiled opposition group Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK) have also been executed, along with one person convicted of spying for Israel.Teenager among first to be executed over Iran's anti-government protestsTotal repression and air strikes bring unrelenting dread for IraniansIran taking steps to prevent anti-establishment protests, Tehran residents tell BBCIran has long been the world's second most prolific executioner after China, where the exact number of people put to death remains a state secret but is believed by human rights activists to be in the thousands.However, last year saw the highest number of recorded executions in the Islamic Republic for 36 years, with an average of four per day, according to the report by IHR and EPCM.They say 795 of the 1,639 people hanged were convict...