Germany condemns execution of anti-regime protester in Iran

BERLIN

The German government on Friday strongly condemned Iran's first execution of a protester for his role in nationwide anti-government demonstrations.

"The Federal Government condemns in the strongest possible terms that the Iranian regime carried out a death sentence and executed a demonstrator in connection with the demonstrations in Iran," deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann told journalists in Berlin.

"We call again on Iran to abolish the death penalty immediately and to refrain from carrying out any further death sentences," she added.

Hoffmann was referring to the execution of Mohsen Shekari who was hanged in a Tehran prison on Thursday morning.

Shekari was accused of allegedly blocking a street and attacking a member of the security forces in Tehran, according to Iranian state media.

In related news, a German Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed media reports that Iran's ambassador was summoned on Thursday to protest Shekari's execution.

Meanwhile, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for the prosecution of Iranian officials responsible for the violent crackdown on demonstrators.

"It is important that the recent human rights violations in Iran are investigated by independent experts so that those responsible can one day be held accountable," Steinmeier said after a meeting with representatives of Iranian civil society in Berlin on Friday.

"The courageous protests in Iran these days are showing the whole world that the longing for freedom cannot be stifled anywhere," added Steinmeier.

He urged everyone "to watch closely what is happening in Iran," saying "we must not stop raising our voices against this inhuman violence of the Iranian regime."

Iran has been the scene of mass anti-regime protests sparked by the September death of 22-year-old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, who died after being arrested by the country's morality police for allegedly breaking Islamic dress codes.

At least 475 people have been killed in the demonstrations amid a heavy-handed security crackdown, according to human rights groups. More than 18,000 have been detained by authorities.