Iran Hijab Protest: Death sentence handed to three more protesters

News Desk: Iran, on Monday, handed death sentences to three more protesters for offences in relation to the anti-hijab protests, that were triggered by Mahsa Amini’s death. This has fuelled international protests against the regime. The three men who have been sentenced, have been convicted of killing members of the security forces. This brings the official number of detainees condemned to death to 17 in nearly four months of protests. Of these, four executions have been carried out, while six of those convicted have been granted retrial. According to the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 109 protesters now in detention have been sentenced to death or face charges that can carry capital punishment. A wave of anti-hijab protests has rocked the country since the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini for flouting the country’s strict dress code. According to the IHR, since the unrest began, 481 protesters have been killed, including 64 minors. Pope Francis, on Monday, condemned the regime for handing death penalties to protesters. “The right to life is also threatened in those places where the death penalty continues to be imposed, as is the case in these days in Iran, following the recent demonstrations demanding greater respect for the dignity of women,” Francis said. Iran has blamed the unrest on hostile foreign forces. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on his official website, “There is no doubt that there is an economic and livelihood problem, but can this problem be solved by burning trash cans and rioting in the streets?”