Iran Hangs 2 Over June Election Unrest

Two Iranians were hanged today in connection with last year's election protests. It was the first report of executions in connection with the unrest and may signal increased efforts to intimidate the opposition ahead of new anti-government demonstrations expected next month. The two executed men were among a group of 11 people sentenced to death on charges including waging war against God, trying to overthrow the Islamic establishment, and being members of armed groups, Reuters reports, though their actual connection to the protests is disputed.

The lawyer for 19-year-old Arash Rahmanipour described the charges as "political" and the verdict "unfair and illegal," claiming his client was detained by authorities months before the election. "The government is trying to prevent the expansion of the current movement through the spread of fear and intimidation," she told Reuters. "He was never granted the right to defend himself freely and I could not defend him." (More Iran stories.)