• From January 1 to June 30, 251 people were hanged in Iran, compared to 117 in the first half of last year.
• Iran has seen nationwide protests over economic grievances such as the rise in cost of basic staples including bread.
• Eight prisoners were executed on rape and murder charges on Wednesday alone at the Rajai Shahr prison outside Tehran.

An NGO said Friday that executions in Iran have more than doubled in the first half of 2022, warning that the increase is intended to spread fear during a period of protests.

From January 1 to June 30, 251 people were hanged in Iran, compared to 117 in the first half of last year, according to a report by the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR).

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had expressed concern last month over the rise in executions, with Iran again executing drug offenders in high numbers and many people from ethnic minorities.

Iran has over the last months seen nationwide protests over economic grievances such as the rise in cost of basic staples including bread.

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“There is no doubt that spreading fear to counteract the growing popular anti-regime protests is the main goal of these executions,” IHR founder Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam told AFP.

“Only stronger international reactions and domestic campaigns against the executions can raise the political cost of these executions for the authorities and stop the increasing trend,” he said.

He noted that 137 executions had occurred since the new wave of protests began on May 7. Six women were also executed, according to IHR.

According to IHR, eight prisoners were executed on rape and murder charges on Wednesday alone at the Rajai Shahr prison outside Tehran.

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