Iran executed two men in Isfahan at dawn on Tuesday, July 28. The men were convicted of killing four police officers during a crackdown on nationwide protests in January. The execution was carried out publicly in the city's Alikhani Square.
Several hundred people gathered near the execution stage, but instead of cheering, they chanted slogans against the police. Anti-riot units were deployed to disperse the crowd. Human rights activists have stated that the Iranian government is rapidly escalating executions, a trend reflected in videos appearing to show public protest.
These hangings bring the total to four deaths out of 12 individuals sentenced in the same case, following the execution of two other men on similar charges in Isfahan province on July 19. The proceedings have faced criticism from UN experts who slammed the use of closed trials and coerced confessions.