Iran executes man convicted of aiding U.S., Israel during protests

Iran on Sunday executed a man convicted of aiding the United States and Israel during anti-government protests that erupted late last year, the judiciary said. The execution of Majid Adineh took place in Alborz province, west of Tehran, according to the judiciary's Mizan Online website.

Adineh was found guilty of "operational action in favour of hostile groups" and sentenced to death by the Karaj Revolutionary Court. The charges included "deliberate arson, gathering and collusion with the intention of committing crimes against the country's internal security." The judiciary said an appeal was unsuccessful and the Supreme Court upheld the verdict.

Mizan reported that Adineh and another suspect were arrested on January 9 while carrying "a revolver, ammunition, two tasers, two tear gas canisters, a rechargeable chainsaw, and a bottle of gasoline." He was accused of using the chainsaw during the protests.

The protests, initially sparked by economic hardships and high living costs, quickly widened into widespread anti-government demonstrations. The unrest peaked on January 8 and 9, and Iranian authorities reported more than 3,000 deaths, attributing the violence to "terrorist acts" orchestrated by the United States and Israel. International human rights groups, however, have voiced concern over the scale of the crackdown and the fairness of the trials.

Adineh is among a series of individuals executed in connection with the protests. The number of executions in Iran has risen sharply since the start of the West Asia war on February 28, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. Many of the death sentences have been linked to the protests, while others are related to the conflict.

According to Iran Human Rights, an Oslo-based NGO, and Together Against the Death Penalty, based in Paris, Iran executed at least 1,639 people last year — the highest number since 1989. Amnesty International has said Iran conducts the second most executions of any country, after China.

The execution of Adineh has reignited debate over Iran's judicial process and its handling of dissent. The judiciary, however, maintains that due process was followed, including the right to appeal. The case underscores the broader tensions between Iran and the international community over human rights and the ongoing unrest.