Demonstrator Erfan Soltani, a symbol of repression in Iran, who was at risk of being hanged, was released on bail
Erfan Soltani. Photo source: Hengaw
It is one of the faces of the repression in Iran in recent weeks. Iranian protester Erfan Soltani, arrested during the January protest movement in Iran and for whom Washington feared he would be executed, has been released on bail, his lawyer told AFP on Sunday.
The 26-year-old “was released yesterday (Saturday) and recovered his personal belongings”, said Amir Mousakhani, adding that a bail of 2 billion tomans (approximately 10,600 euros) was paid for the man's release, reports News.ro.
The young man had been arrested at his residence in Fardis, west of Tehran, on January 10, after he had participated in large-scale anti-government demonstrations. “If he is found guilty, he will be sentenced to prison,” the Iranian judicial authority threatened on January 15.
Accused of “conspiracy against internal security”
According to several human rights organizations, including Iran Human Rights and Hengaw, his family was informed that his execution was scheduled for Wednesday, January 14. Iran denied the claims the next day, saying he was still incarcerated in Karadj prison. The young man was accused of “conspiracy against the country's internal security and propaganda activities against the regime”, the Iranian judiciary explained.
The first news about the fate of the Iranian protester sentenced to death, whose execution is scheduled today
The repression of the demonstrations by the Iranian government is unprecedented. At least 3,117 people were killed, according to the official balance sheet of the Ministry of the Interior. But, according to the unofficial balance sheets, the number of victims is at least ten times higher.
Quoted by Le Figaro, doctor Amir-Mobarez Parasta talks about over 30,000 victims, based on a count made in Iranian hospitals. A figure similar to the one revealed this weekend by two senior officials of the Ministry of Health for Time magazine.
Iranian officials say the protests, which began on December 28, initially consisted of peaceful gatherings against the cost of life, but later turned into “riots” marked by deaths and acts of vandalism. Tehran has accused the United States and Israel of being behind the unrest, blaming the two countries for fueling what it described as a “terrorist operation”, especially when the protests reached their peak on January 8 and 9.
The protests in Iran have been completely suppressed, the punishment of those responsible follows, the authorities in Tehran announce
