Detained Iranian protester Erfan Soltani, whose execution did not take place on Wednesday as some had feared, is in good physical health and has been capable of meet along with his family, in line with a family member and a human rights group.
Somayeh, a relative of 26-year-old Soltani who declined to be recognized by her full title resulting from safety issues, informed NCS on Sunday she had acquired information from family in Iran that Soltani is alive and has been capable of meet along with his family.
“I ask everyone to help in securing Erfan’s freedom,” Somayeh stated in a video message. Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights group, additionally confirmed on Sunday the transient family encounter, including that Soltani is in “good physical health.”
The US State Department and a family member had beforehand raised the prospect that Iran might execute Soltani, who was detained for collaborating in anti-government demonstrations that originally broke out in late December, sparked by public anger over Iran’s financial plight.
More than 24,000 folks have been arrested because the protests started, in line with the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). NCS can’t independently confirm this determine.
Iran’s judiciary confirmed Soltani was arrested on January 10 and formally charged with “assembly and collusion against the country’s internal security” in addition to “propaganda activities” in opposition to the regime, in line with state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
The judiciary indicated, nevertheless, that Soltani had not been sentenced to demise, IRIB reported.
His family later stated his execution was postponed, and US President Donald Trump stated he had acquired assurances “on good authority” that there was no plan for executions in Iran amid fears for Soltani’s destiny.
On Sunday, Iran’s judiciary appeared to point that some protesters concerned in the latest anti-regime unrest might nonetheless face execution, regardless of Trump’s suggestion in any other case.
Asghar Jahangir, a spokesperson for the judiciary, stated Sunday that some actions dedicated by protesters are categorised as “moharebeh,” translated as “waging war against God.” The penalties for moharebeh embrace execution.
“The actions we have witnessed in recent days are criminal and will be quickly prosecuted and punished,” Jahangir stated. “Some actions are classified as moharebeh, which carries the most severe punishments under Islamic law.”
Anyone who “collaborates with the enemy” in occasions of unrest is committing legal actions, he stated. “The law has clear provisions for such cases, and it is well defined what the punishment is for those who cooperate with our sworn enemies,” Jahangir added.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday blamed Trump for the deaths of Iranians in the unrest, saying he “openly encouraged” protesters by promising them US “military support.”
Trump stated Friday he “convinced himself” to carry off on navy motion in half as a result of Tehran stated it was calling off deliberate executions of protesters.
“They were going to hang over 800 people yesterday, and I greatly respect the fact that they canceled that,” he stated.
In response to Trump’s feedback, Tehran’s prosecutor, Ali Salehi, stated Saturday the US president was speaking “nonsense” and his evaluation on the matter was “wrong,” in a video revealed by IRIB.
“Our response is firm, deterrent and swift. And currently, a large number of our cases have led to indictments and have been sent to court,” Salehi stated.
NCS’s Isobel Yeung, Kevin Liptak, Adam Cancryn, Catherine Nicholls and Hira Humayun contributed reporting.