Iranian judge signals quick trials, executions of protesters
Iran’s top judge hinted at fast trials and executions for those who were detained in nationwide protests against the country’s theocracy, even as activists said Wednesday that the death toll rose to levels unseen in decades, with at least 2,572 people killed so far.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, made the comments about trials and executions in a video on Tuesday, despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that he would “take very strong action” if executions take place. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the number of dead climbed to at least 2,571 early Wednesday. The figure dwarfs the death toll from any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
After Trump was informed of the number of deaths, he warned Iran’s leaders that he was terminating any negotiations and would “act accordingly.” Details of the crackdown began emerging Tuesday as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications countrywide when the protests broke out.
Iran’s judiciary chief signals fast trials and executions for those detained in nationwide protests. Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei made the comment in a video shared by Iranian state television on Wednesday. He emphasised the need for swift action, saying delays would lessen the impact. His remarks challenge Trump, who warned Iran about executions in an interview aired Tuesday.
Trump stated the US would take strong action if Iran proceeded with executions. The situation highlights escalating tensions between the two countries over the handling of the protests. Dozens of Pakistani students studying in Iran have returned home through a remote southwestern border crossing, a Pakistani immigration official said Wednesday. Federal Investigation Agency spokesperson in Quetta city, Samina Raisani, said about 60 students crossed into Pakistan on Tuesday through the Gabd border in Balochistan province with valid travel documents.
More students were expected to return through the same crossing later Wednesday, she said. Mudassir Tipu, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, said Tuesday that Iranian universities had rescheduled exams and permitted international students to leave the country.
Starlink is offering free service inside Iran The satellite internet provider Starlink now offers free service to people in Iran who have access to the company’s receivers, activists said Wednesday. Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist who helped get the units into Iran, told The Associated Press that the free service had started.
Other activists also confirmed in messages online that the service was free. Starlink has been the only way for Iranians to communicate with the outside world since authorities shut down the internet on Thursday night as nationwide protests swelled and they began a bloody cracdown against demonstrators. Protesters participating in a demonstration supporting protesters in Zuerich.
