Authorities in Iran have executed two men convicted of belonging to a banned opposition group and attempting to destabilise the government, according to the judiciary.
The executions, announced on Saturday, involved Abolhassan Montazer and Vahid Baniamerian, who were sentenced to death after being found guilty of engaging in activities aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Republic.
Their sentences were upheld by the country’s Supreme Court before being carried out.
The men were linked to the People’s Mujahedin of Iran, a group banned by Iranian authorities and accused of orchestrating acts of sabotage and rebellion. Officials stated that the duo had participated in multiple actions classified as “terrorist acts” intended to disrupt the state.
Their execution follows a series of similar actions targeting members of the same group, with four others reportedly executed earlier in the week. The exact timeline of their arrests has not been disclosed.
The developments come amid heightened tensions involving United States and Israel, following strikes on February 28 that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and triggered a broader regional conflict.
Iran has also intensified its crackdown in response to internal unrest. In recent weeks, authorities executed several individuals accused of collaborating with foreign powers or participating in anti-government protests. Among them was a man put to death for allegedly acting on behalf of the United States and Israel.
On March 19, three individuals convicted of killing police officers during protests were also executed. In another high-profile case, Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national, was executed on espionage charges linked to Israel, drawing criticism from European officials, including authorities in Sweden and the European Union.
The MEK, which initially supported the Iranian Revolution before breaking away in the 1980s, has since operated in exile and remains a controversial opposition force.
Iran continues to rank among the countries with the highest number of executions globally, second only to China, according to human rights organisations.
What you should know
Iran has executed two men accused of belonging to the banned MEK group and attempting to overthrow the government.
The executions are part of a broader crackdown amid rising internal unrest and escalating conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Multiple executions in recent weeks highlight Iran’s strict approach to dissent and security threats, drawing international criticism, especially from European nations and human rights organisations.
