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Iran says it is implementing sentences against convicted January protesters

Nationwide anti-government protests rocked the country in January and were repressed in the biggest crackdown in the history of the Islamic Republic [GETTY]

The cases of individuals arrested during Iran’s nationwide protests earlier this year have been processed, first deputy Chief of the Judiciary Hamzeh Khalili said on Monday, adding that final verdicts are now being implemented.

Nationwide anti-government protests rocked the country in January and were repressed in the biggest crackdown in the history of the Islamic Republic.

“The cases of January terrorist elements and rioters have been processed. Some have led to final verdicts being issued and are now being implemented. Some cases have already been implemented in the past few days, which will be reported. No leniency will be applied to the convicts in these cases,” Khalili was quoted as saying by the judiciary’s news outlet, Mizan.

Last week, Iran executed three men convicted of killing two police officers during unrest earlier this year, raising concern among rights groups such as Hengaw that Tehran is intensifying executions against political detainees and protesters amid mounting military and international pressures.

Khalili added that the judiciary would have no leniency toward what he said were “infiltrators, mercenaries, traitors who cooperate with the enemy”, as hundreds have been arrested during March since the start of the war with Israel and the US.