Executions in Iran

Iran announced Saturday it had executed national karate champion Mohammad Karami, 22, and volunteer children's coach Seyed Hosseini, 39, as the regime continued to crack down on nationwide protests. The pair was hanged for allegedly killing militia member Seyed Ruhollah Ajamian in November during a protest. The unrest stems from the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran's so-called morality police (see background).

The executions of protesters were met with broad condemnation from democratic countries and organizations. Human rights observers believe at least 41 others have received the death sentence in trials with little due process. Reports say at least 517 demonstrators have been killed and over 19,000 arrested—including 62 journalists—in what some analysts describe as Iran's most significant challenge to its rule since the 1979 revolution.

The latest executions increase the number of protesters killed by Iran since December to four. Read about them and other protesters on death row here.