Daijiworld Media Network – Tehran

Tehran, Jun 11: Iran on Wednesday executed a man convicted of killing seven people, including a 10-year-old boy, during the nationwide anti-government protests that erupted in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini.

According to Iran's judiciary news agency Mizan Online, Abbas Kurkuri was hanged after being found guilty by a Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz, Khuzestan province. His sentence, which was upheld by the Supreme Court, was carried out following his conviction on serious charges including ‘corruption on earth’ and ‘moharebeh’ — waging war against God.

The court held Kurkuri responsible for a mass shooting in the city of Izeh, where seven people, among them young Kian Pirfalak, were killed. Authorities classified the incident as a “terrorist attack.”

The judiciary claimed Kurkuri confessed to the crime during trial, reportedly admitting he was influenced by social media and had used a military weapon in the attack. He was also described as a “notorious offender” with a history of armed violence, property damage, and trafficking offences.

The 2022 protests had erupted across the country after the custodial death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurd detained for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic's dress code for women. The unrest triggered a sweeping crackdown, with hundreds killed and thousands detained.

Iran has executed several individuals linked to the protests in the months since, drawing sharp criticism from international human rights groups. Just a day before Kurkuri’s execution, nine men accused of plotting attacks for the Islamic State group were also hanged.

Iran remains the second-highest executor of capital punishment globally, after China, according to Amnesty International and other rights organisations.