UPDATE - Iran carries out 1st execution amid nationwide protests

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Syed Zafar Mehdi and Ahmet Dursun

TEHRAN, Iran/ANKARA (AA) - Iran on Thursday executed a prisoner convicted for a crime allegedly committed during the ongoing nationwide protests, the first such death penalty carried out by the country, local media reported.

Mohsen Shikari, who according to the judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency “threatened citizens with a cold weapon and injured a security guard during protests" in the Sattar Khan neighborhood of the capital Tehran was executed in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Shikari was handed the death penalty on Nov. 20 by a court in the Iranian capital for "disturbing the social order and security."

Iran has seen widespread protests in recent months following the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, in the custody of Iranian morality police.

Thousands of people have been detained, according to human rights groups, while more than 200 people have died, as acknowledged by Iran's Interior Ministry last week.

Foreign-based NGOs, however, have put the number of fatalities at more than 450, with the US and EU imposing a slew of human rights-related sanctions on Iranian officials and entities.

A judiciary statement said Shikari was arrested after escaping from the scene of protests in western Tehran and cited him confessing that he was asked by his accomplice to "participate in riots."

At least 11 death sentences have been issued so far in connection with the months-long unrest, which authorities say are subject to appeal in the apex court before execution.

Shikari's death penalty was upheld by the supreme court, while other sentences are currently under review, according to reports.

After initial six death sentences issued last month, five more people allegedly involved in killing a member of the Basij parliamentary force in late November were sentenced to death following a high-profile televised trial earlier this week.

The accused men were handed the death penalty on charges of “corruption on earth” as well as “crimes against security” and “causing disruption to public order,” the judiciary spokesman said.

The first execution on Thursday came days after Iran’s judiciary chief Mohseni Ejei said all death sentences in connection with the ongoing protests would be carried out immediately.

At a ceremony to mark Students Day at Tehran University, President Ebrahim Raisi struck a conciliatory tone, saying all people, including the protesters "would be heard."

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report