Trump warns Iran against execution of three over protests
Trump warns Iran against execution of three over protests
President Trump called the expected execution of three Iranians over anti-government protests a 'terrible signal to the world'.
1 min read
Last year's protests in Iran were met with a violent crackdown [Getty]
US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Wednesday against executing three people allegedly involved in protests in November 2019.
"Three individuals were sentenced to death in Iran for participating in protests," he tweeted. "The execution is expected momentarily. Executing these three people sends a terrible signal to the world and should not be done!"
Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday that a court had upheld the death sentences for criminal actions during protests last November sparked by a hike in petrol prices.
Reformist Shargh newspaper named the three as Amirhossein Moradi, a 26-year-old who worked at a cellphone retailer; Said Tamjidi, a 28-year-old student; and Mohammad Rajabi, also 26.
Iran has blamed last year's violence on "thugs" backed by its foes the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The demonstrations erupted after authorities more than doubled fuel prices overnight, exacerbating economic hardships in the sanctions-hit country.
Petrol pumps were torched, police stations attacked and shops looted, before security forces stepped in amid a near-total internet blackout.
A senior Iranian lawmaker said in June that 230 were killed and thousands injured during the protests.
The United States has claimed that more than 1,000 were killed, a figure backed by an investigation by Reuters.
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