Iran executes second prisoner involved in protests

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran executed a second prisoner on Monday convicted over crimes committed during the nationwide protests challenging the country’s theocracy, publicly hanging him from a construction crane as a warning to others.

The execution of Majidreza Rahnavard came less than a month after, authorities said, he fatally stabbed two members of a paramilitary force after becoming angry about security forces killing of protesters.

The development underscores the speed at which Iran carries out death sentences handed down for those detained in the demonstrations that the government hopes toput down.

Activists warn that at least a dozen people have been sentenced to death in closed-door hearings. At least 488 people have been killed since the demonstrations began in mid-september, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that has been monitoring the protests. Another 18,200 people have been detained by authorities.

Iran’s Mizan news agency, which falls under the country’s judiciary, published a collage of images of Rahnavard hanging from the crane, his hands and feet bound, a black bag over his head.

Masked security force members stood guard in front of concrete and metal barriers that held back a gathered crowd early Monday morning in the Iranian city of Mashhad.

Mizan alleged Rahnavard had stabbed two security force members to death Nov. 17 in Mashhad and wounded four others.

The Mizan report accused Rahnavard of trying to flee to a foreign country when he was arrested.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers imposed new sanctions Monday on Iranian clerics, officials and state media employees over the crackdown on protesters and also on experts they believe are linked to supplying Russia with explosive drones to use in its war against Ukraine.