UN Iran Expert Concerned about Death Sentences for Protesters 

Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran Javaid Rehman speaks during a Human Rights Council's special session on the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, at the European UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, November 24, 2022. (EPA)
Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran Javaid Rehman speaks during a Human Rights Council's special session on the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, at the European UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, November 24, 2022. (EPA)
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UN Iran Expert Concerned about Death Sentences for Protesters 

Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran Javaid Rehman speaks during a Human Rights Council's special session on the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, at the European UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, November 24, 2022. (EPA)
Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran Javaid Rehman speaks during a Human Rights Council's special session on the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, at the European UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, November 24, 2022. (EPA)

A UN-appointed independent expert on Iran voiced concern on Tuesday that the repression of protesters was intensifying, with authorities launching a "campaign" of sentencing them to death. 

The UN says more than 300 people have been killed so far and 14,000 arrested in protests which began after the Sept. 16 death in custody of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. 

"I'm afraid that the Iranian regime will react violently to the Human Rights Council resolution and this may trigger more violence and repression on their part," Javaid Rehman told Reuters, referring to a UN Human Rights Council vote to establish a probe into the crackdown last week. 

Tehran has rejected the investigation and says it will not cooperate. 

"Now (authorities) have started a campaign of sentencing (protesters) to death," he added, saying he expected more to be sentenced. 

Already, 21 people arrested in the context of the protests face the death penalty, including a woman indicted on "vague and broadly formulated criminal offences", and six have been sentenced this month, Rehman said. 

Iran has blamed foreign foes and their agents for the unrest. Its judiciary chief last month ordered judges to issue tough sentences for the "main elements of riots". 

Even before the unrest, executions were rising and the UN human rights boss Volker Turk has said the number this year had reportedly surpassed 400 by September for the first time in five years. 

The UN resolution is seen as being among the more strongly-worded in the body's 16-year history and urges the mission to "collect, consolidate and analyze evidence". 

Past investigations launched by the council have led to war crimes cases, including the jailing of a Syrian ex-officer for state-backed torture in Germany this year. 

Rehman said he expects the new Fact-Finding Mission to provide a list of perpetrators and share that with national and regional legal authorities. 

"It will ensure accountability and it will provide evidence to the courts and tribunals," he said. A UN document showed the mission would have 15 staff members and a budget of $3.67 million. 



Putin Urges Iran to Take 'Zero Enrichment' Nuclear Deal with US, Axios Reports

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2025. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2025. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Putin Urges Iran to Take 'Zero Enrichment' Nuclear Deal with US, Axios Reports

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2025. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2025. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials that he supports the idea of a nuclear deal in which Iran is unable to enrich uranium, Axios reported on Saturday, citing sources, Reuters reported.

Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim denied the report, quoting an "informed source" as saying Putin had not sent any message to Iran in this regard.