Iranian Opposition Leader Criticizes European Response to Executions

An Iranian opposition leader criticized European countries for not doing enough to stop executions in Iran, following the execution of a man convicted of spying for Israel's intelligence service. The judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported the execution on Wednesday.

The opposition leader spoke at the European Parliament, stating that the silence of European Union leaders and member states in the face of political executions is unjustifiable. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran, which is the political arm of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran, said such silence emboldens the regime to continue executions and encourages persistence in nuclear weapons development and regional interference.

Rajavi stated that 16 political prisoners had been executed in the month prior to Wednesday's execution, including eight from the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran.

authorities killed thousands of people during anti-government protests in January, described as the country's worst domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February, with stated aims including weakening the authorities to enable Iranians to topple the government.

However, there has been little sign of organized dissent in Iran during the war, according to opponents and rights groups. These groups report that the government has increased actions against opponents.

and Rights Group Reports Norway-based

Iran Human Rights reported on Tuesday that at least 3,646 people have been arrested, with at least 767 cases following the start of a ceasefire on April 8. Amnesty International stated earlier this month that authorities continue to use the death penalty amid the population's experience of conflict and aerial bombardment by Israel and the United States.