In a move that has sparked international outrage and heightened tensions within Iran, the Iranian regime executed 21-year-old political prisoner Milad Zohrevand on Thursday.

The execution took place in the Central Prison of Hamedan without prior notification to Zohrevand’s family, marking a tragic end to a young life caught in the crosshairs of Iran’s political turmoil.

Zohrevand, originally from Malayer in western Iran, became a symbol of resistance during the nationwide uprising that erupted in September 2022. The protests, ignited by the death of 21-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the regime’s morality police, saw Zohrevand arrested on October 27, 2022, after being injured by security forces. Amini’s death, which was a result of alleged violations of Iran’s strict dress code for women, had sparked widespread condemnation and brought international attention to the regime’s oppressive policies.

The Iranian judiciary, known for its harsh stance against dissidents, sentenced Zohrevand to death, accusing him of killing a member of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Ali Nazari. This sentence was later upheld by the regime’s supreme court, leading to Zohrevand’s secret execution. In response, the regime deployed security forces throughout Malayer, anticipating and fearing the potential for anti-regime protests.

On Friday, Zohrevand’s body was buried in Hamedan’s Bagh-e Behesht cemetery under strict security measures, with only 20 relatives permitted to attend. The regime denied the family’s request to bury Zohrevand in his hometown, further exacerbating the tensions.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), condemned the execution, calling it a testament to “the clerical regime’s barbarity” and its fear of the people’s anger. She called on the United Nations and the European Union to take urgent action to secure the freedom of imprisoned protesters and to save the lives of those on death row.

Zohrevand’s execution marks the eighth in a series of executions related to the 2022 uprising. These executions include the high-profile cases of Mohsen Shekari, Majidreza Rahnavard, Mohammad Mehdi Karami, Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, Saleh Mirhashemi, Saeed Yaghoubi, and Majid Kazemi. Additionally, the suspicious death of Javad Rouhi, another political prisoner, in Nowshahr prison, has raised further concerns about the regime’s treatment of detainees.

The uprising itself saw over 750 civilians killed by regime forces, with tens of thousands arrested. Reports of brutal torture, forced confessions, and severe mistreatment in prisons have emerged, with several prisoners committing suicide after release due to the trauma endured.

These events have cast a spotlight on Iran’s human rights record, with international communities increasingly calling for accountability and reform. The execution of Milad Zohrevand not only represents a tragic loss of life but also a critical moment in Iran’s ongoing struggle for freedom and justice.

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu