Two Opposition Activists Executed in Iran

Two Iranians convicted of being "enemies of God" (Mohareb) for participation in Green protests and membership in a banned monarchist group were hanged at dawn today at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison. It was the first known execution of opposition activists since June's disputed presidential election prompted massive street protests.

Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani and Arash-Rahmani Pour were hanged on Thursday morning.

The lawyer for Mr. Rahmani-Pour insisted that her client was arrested at least two months before the election and could not possibly be involved in any post-election demonstrations. He was reportedly arrested last March and was aged 19 at the time of his arrest.

Nine more have been sentenced to death in mass kangaroo trials held after Ahmadinejad’s election, including some related to 27 December Ashura demonstrations. Hundreds have been detained in the past seven months, with some already receiving long-term sentences for their participation in street protests.