Iran Carries Out Executions of Opposition Members Linked to Attacks

In a recent development, Iran has executed two individuals identified as members of the banned Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) group, following their involvement in attacks on civilian infrastructure using improvised projectiles. The Iranian judiciary, through its official news outlet Mizan, confirmed the executions of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani-Eslamloo, who were deemed as 'operational elements' of the MEK.

The sentences were initially handed down in September 2024 and were upheld by the Supreme Court, which denied the defendants' appeal for a retrial. Mizan reported that the pair constructed launchers and handheld mortars in alignment with the objectives of the MEK, recklessly targeting citizens, residential areas, and public facilities.

Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which includes the MEK as a principal entity, honored the two, stating they maintained their dignity and commitment even after enduring extensive torture and pressure.

The charges against Hassani and Ehsani-Eslamloo included 'moharebeh,' which translates to waging war against God, along with accusations of damaging public property and being affiliated with a terrorist organization aimed at undermining national security.

Amnesty International has condemned the trial as "grossly unfair," asserting that both individuals consistently proclaimed their innocence. The rights organization highlighted concerns regarding the trial process, alleging that they were interrogated without legal representation and subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including physical abuse and prolonged solitary confinement, to extract self-incriminating statements.

In 2024, Iran witnessed a significant rise in executions, with at least 901 reported, marking the highest figure since 2015. The MEK, originally known as the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, was a prominent leftist-Islamist faction that conducted bombing campaigns against the Shah's regime and U.S. interests during the 1970s. However, it subsequently distanced itself from other factions involved in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Since then, the MEK has actively opposed the current Islamic Republic of Iran and has established its leadership in exile, primarily based in Paris. The group remained designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union until 2012.