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Iran executes three men over alleged links to US, Israel during protests

The executions took place on Sunday after the country’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentences, Iranian state media reported.

The condemned men were identified as Hassan Dioband, Hamid Kazemi and Reza Zanganeh.

Iranian judicial authorities accused the trio of deploying firearms, grenades and Molotov cocktails during the unrest. They were also alleged to have set public facilities ablaze and damaged an electricity substation in Karaj, causing power disruptions in parts of the city.

According to the judiciary, Dioband was arrested on January 11 following investigations that allegedly connected him to attacks on public property and efforts to incite violence. Ten other individuals were later detained over claims that they participated in the unrest under his direction.

Their executions add to a series of death sentences carried out by Iranian authorities against people accused of participating in the January demonstrations and having links to the United States and Israel.

Tehran has repeatedly alleged that foreign governments are backing unrest within its borders. However, human rights organisations have expressed concerns about the treatment of protesters and the fairness of judicial proceedings in cases where defendants face capital punishment.