Iran signals fast-track executions of protesters despite Trump’s ‘very strong action’ warning

Protesters participate in a demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Despite the United States and other countries around the world asking Iran to end its brutal crackdown on protesters, the head of Iran’s judiciary signalled that those detained in nationwide protests would face fast trials and executions. Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, Iran’s judiciary chief, made the remarks after activists warned that detainees in the country could face execution by hanging.

An Iranian official has confirmed that more than 2,000 people, including security personnel. However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency suggests the massive unrest has claimed the lives of at least 2,571 people.

“If we want to do a job, we should do it now. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly,” he said. “If it becomes late, two months, three months later, it doesn’t have the same effect. If we want to do something, we have to do that fast”, Mohseni-Ejei said in a video shared by the Iranian state television.

As the anti-government protests in Iran enter their third week, the country is set to carry out its first execution. According to human rights groups and exiled activists, Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old protestor who was arrested last week, may be executed as early as January 14.

Arrested in the city of Fardis, situated in Iran’s Karaj district of Alborz province, IHRNGO, citing sources close to the family, said that “his family were informed that he had been sentenced to death and that the sentence is due to be carried out on 14 January.” The rights group went on to say that Soltani did not have a lawyer and that there was no trial or hearing for his case.

Ejei’s comments seem to be a direct challenge to Trump, who warned the Iranian state about executions. During an interview with CBS on January 13,  Trump said that “if they do such a thing, we will take very strong action.”

The US president also said that he has cancelled all talks with Iranian officials and asked citizens to “keep protesting” and “take over” government institutions, adding that “help is on the way.”