Tehran accused of secret executions and lethal injections

Human rights groups report that detainees in Iran have been secretly executed or given lethal injections after the government’s crackdown, and authorities have acknowledged 3,117 deaths while rights monitors report higher counts; arrests of senior reformist figures were also reported.

The reports say that human rights organisations have documented allegations of secret extrajudicial executions and lethal injections of detainees following Iran’s recent crackdown on anti-government unrest. Rights monitors also report large numbers of deaths and mass arrests since protests began, and state authorities have made their own public casualty list. Separately, security forces are reported to have arrested at least four senior reformist politicians on charges linked to plotting against the system. Reported key points: - Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) is reported to have verified 6,961 deaths and to have further cases under investigation, while Iranian authorities published a list acknowledging 3,117 deaths. - Norway-based Iran Human Rights and other groups say they are investigating credible reports of secret executions in several prisons and allegations of injections of unknown substances to detainees. - State media have broadcast coerced confessions of detainees and Iran’s judiciary official has warned of swift, harsh punishments, according to reports. - At least four senior reformist politicians were reported arrested in a recent roundup, with state-affiliated media alleging actions against national solidarity. Summary: The allegations, as reported by multiple rights organisations and outlets, have increased scrutiny of Iran’s response to nationwide protests and of treatment of detainees. Undetermined at this time.