Iranian authorities executed young lawyer Mehdi Khanki, 26, after convicting him on charges related to recent protests and cooperation with Israel and the United States, according to the Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency and as reported by index.hr news site.

Mizan explained that Khanki was executed for 'operations he carried out' in support of countries and entities hostile to Iran, in addition to being accused of committing crimes during last January's protests and possessing weapons.

Opposition's Account

In contrast, the Iranian opposition, represented by the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), stated that Khanki was executed for his membership in the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI) and his participation in protests in the city of Karaj. The opposition indicated that Khanki suffered physical and psychological torture for several months before his execution.

According to a statement by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, dozens of members of the People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran still face the threat of execution or are awaiting sentencing in Iranian prisons. The opposition also reported that eight of its members were executed between March 30 and April 20.

Broader Context of Executions

Official Iranian media sources, including Mizan, have reported an increase in executions of individuals linked to the People's Mujahedin Organization in recent months. While opposition reports indicate eight executions, Iranian media have documented 12 executions in the same period.

It is worth noting that the People's Mujahedin Organization, known in Persian as 'Mujahideen-e-Khalq', is banned in Iran, and its popularity within the country remains unclear. The organization is considered one of the main opposition forces alongside royalist groups supporting Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed Shah.

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