Iran executes three men for 'armed unrest' after January protests

Iran has executed three men accused of carrying out armed unrest during January's anti-government protests, according to state media. The executions are the latest in a series linked to the protests, including those of people accused of having ties to Israel and the United States.

The protest movement initially sparked in December last year by the high cost of living rapidly evolved into widespread anti-government demonstrations that peaked on 8 and 9 of January. Iranian authorities reported more than 3,000 deaths, and blamed the violence on "terrorist acts" orchestrated by the US and Israel.

However foreign-based NGOs gave higher figures and the BBC received multiple accounts from Iranians of security forces opening fire on unarmed protesters. Tasnim reported that the three men were executed after the Supreme Court upheld their convictions and found them guilty of "participating in operational activities on behalf of the Israeli Zionist regime, the United States and hostile groups".