Iranian woman facing execution calls on international community to intervene

• Iranian authorities convicted Shabani of allegedly aiding foreign state adversaries and opposition groups.
• Iranian authorities executed two men in Mashhad following Supreme Court approval.
• At least 31 men linked to the January protests have been hanged since March, according to IHR

A 33-year-old Iranian woman sentenced to death for her participation in anti-government protests early this year has issued an urgent appeal from prison, calling on the international community, the United Nations, and human rights organizations to save her life and those of others facing execution, according to AFP. 

"I appeal to everyone, public opinion, the United Nations, and human rights organizations," she said. "Not just for me, but for all the others whose sentences have been upheld and who have spent months sleeping in fear and anxiety. I beg them to do something,” she stated.

In an audio recording from Wakilabad Prison in the eastern city of Mashhad, Mahboubeh Shabani said that her sentence highlights the risk to dozens of fellow detainees. The message, published Wednesday by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and the US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), was recorded shortly after her lawyer informed her of the death sentence on September 26.

"The sentence issued against me shows that many others are at risk of execution," Shabani said in the call. "I am not worried for myself, but rather for others whose sentences have been upheld."

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Shabani was convicted of committing acts to "strengthen Israel, the United States, and individuals affiliated with opposition groups" during the demonstrations. 

However, IHR reported that Shabani had only utilized her motorcycle to transport injured protesters and she was placed in solitary confinement shortly after making the call.

Iranian judicial authorities recently executed two men, Ali Hemmati and Majid Nik-Andish, by hanging in Mashhad over charges connected to the deaths of four security personnel during the protests.

Iranian authorities executed two men early Wednesday in the northeastern city of Mashhad after their conviction in alleged connection with the deaths of four security personnel during anti-government protests in January, state news agency IRNA reported.

The executions were carried out after the Supreme Court upheld the capital sentences and all required legal procedures were finalized, as stated by the Judiciary's Media Centre.  

State media did not disclose additional details regarding the circumstances of the deaths or the specific execution procedures.

At least 31 men have been hanged in connection with the January protests since wartime executions resumed in March, alongside two others linked to the 2022 demonstrations, According to IHR.

CHRI also noted that nine women across Iran currently face the death penalty on political and security-related charges.