Germany has once again warned the Islamic Republic about issuing death sentences for anti-regime protesters emphasizing that Iranian authorities must be held accountable.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Tuesday there is no doubt that the Iranian regime is brutally repressing its own people.
Speaking at the opening of the 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Berlin, Baerbock stated there are reports that Iranian regime has issued the first death sentence against a person who took part in the protests after the death of Mahsa Amini, “who simply wished to live in freedom like many others.”
“The Islamic Republic is threatening many more protestors with the death penalty, underlined the German minister.
On Sunday, a Revolutionary Court in Iran issued the first death penalty against a protester and another court sentenced five others from five to 10 years in jail each.
Baerbock hailed the decision to impose sanctions on Iranian officials on Monday saying the EU sanctions were put in place to target those who are responsible in Tehran.
“We see with great concern how authoritarian regimes use the death penalty to repress political opponents more and more,” she noted.
“They are not carrying out the death penalty for severe crimes such as murder – but they are using it against people simply expressing their feelings such as who they love, people expressing their opinions or celebrating freedom and life, for example with music and dancing,” she underlined.
Iranian security forces have killed at least 340 people including 43 children and 25 women during the ongoing protests.