Iranian Regime Executes Two Political Prisoners

TEHRAN, Apr 20: Iran said Monday it executed two men accused of carrying out arson attacks on behalf of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, amid heightened tensions during the ongoing conflict.

The judiciary’s news outlet, Mizan News Agency, identified the men as Nima Shahi and Hamed Validi, saying they were convicted of setting fire to buildings under foreign direction.

However, the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK) disputed the charges, identifying one of the men as Nima Shahi and claiming both had been detained before the incidents cited in their convictions. Reports indicate serious due process violations, including torture, forced confessions, lack of transparency, and denial of full legal defense. Such transfers in Iran often signal executions are imminent.

According to the MEK, the latest executions bring to eight the number of its members put to death since the start of the war.

Human rights activists and advocacy groups have long criticized Iran’s judicial process, saying defendants are often tried behind closed doors and cannot effectively challenge the accusations against them.